As the shouts redoubled Edmé saw the two old men turn, pallid and trembling, towards her. "They seek me only," she said resolutely. "Why should I endanger your lives by remaining here? I will go to meet them!" "You shall not go!" cried Agatha, placing herself in front of her mistress. "It can only be a question of a few minutes at the longest. Let me go, Agatha." "Listen," cried the priest, "they are in the house! They are coming up the stairway now!" "No," cried old Matthieu, "I can still hear them down there in the courtyard." Nevertheless a quick footstep was heard approaching from the corridor. The portières at the further end of the room were thrown apart, and a man, wearing the uniform of the Republican army, entered the salon. "Robert!" came in a glad cry from old Tournay's lips. Tournay did not wait to exchange words with his father, but approached Edmé. "I have ridden from Paris to prevent your arrest, mademoiselle; thank God I have arrived in time. Only do as I direct and I shall be able to save you." "How are we to know that we can trust you?" she said, looking at him fixedly. He caught his breath as if unprepared for such a question. "You _must_ trust me, mademoiselle." Edmé laughed scornfully. The color which rose to his cheek showed that her laugh cut even deeper than her words. "Mademoiselle," he began, "if you"-- She interrupted him passionately. "Are not those men below who seek to destroy my château your friends? They have been clamoring for admittance in the name of the Republic." And she looked significantly at the tricolored cockade in his hat. "And because I am a Republican and wear the uniform of the nation do you really think that I could have anything in common with those ruffians? You do me great injustice; I am here with one object, to protect this household." Edmé continued to look steadily at him. "You say nothing, mademoiselle. You condemn me by your silence. I will prove to you how deeply you wrong me even if it take my life. I would give that gladly only to prove it to you. But there is more than my life at stake. There is your safety--and the safety of these, your servants. My father--mademoiselle!" Edmé's look softened a little as she answered:-- "Although since you left our house we have only thought of you as an enemy, still I believe your father's son would be incapable of treachery. As for saving us, listen to the mob below. One man is helpless against so many." "I can save you--but it depends upon yourself. No matter what I may say or do, you must trust me implicitly." "Oh! do as my son says, mademoiselle!" interposed old Matthieu, joining his hands beseechingly. "For your sake, for all our sakes, listen to and be guided by him." "If you can really protect us in this dreadful hour I should be guilty if I risked the lives of those who have faithfully remained at my side, by refusing your aid. I will follow your father's and your counsel," said Edmé quietly.