The slight composure which he had managed to regain during his talk with Edmé left him again, and he turned toward her, the trembling, shaking coward that he was when she had first discovered him. "Do you hear that?" he whispered, his hand shaking as he put it to his lips. "I have heard it in this very room to-day," replied Edmé, looking at him with disdain. "They are coming here again," he whispered hoarsely. "But they shall not find me," he exclaimed fiercely, clenching his fist and shaking it in a weak menace toward the spot whence the sound came. "I have a swift horse in the courtyard beneath. In an hour I shall be safe from them," and he prepared to leave the room. The ordeal of the afternoon had told on Edmé's nerves and the thought of being left alone again made her desperate. "You shall not leave me here alone," she cried, seizing his arm. "You were born a man--behave like one. Devise some means to take me from this place at once. Do not leave me alone to face those wretches again, or I shall believe you are a coward." De Lacheville roughly released himself from her grasp. "I care not what you think of me," he snarled. "It is each for himself. I cannot imperil my safety for a woman. I must escape." And he rushed from the room. She heard the crunching of his horses' feet upon the gravel, and going to the window saw him ride rapidly away. The remembrance of the young Republican leader offering to risk his life for her, and the cowering figure of her cousin, indifferent to all but his own safety, flashed before her in quick contrast. She turned away from the window to find herself in the arms of Agatha, who had at that moment returned. "Agatha," she exclaimed, "do your hear those hoof-beats? Monsieur de Lacheville is running away. He, a nobleman, is a coward and flies from danger, while another man, a Republican--oh, Agatha, Agatha, what are we to do? whom are we to believe; in whom should we trust?" "Calm yourself, mademoiselle," replied Agatha, "and think only of what I have to tell you. Listen to me closely. We must leave at once. I have a plan of flight. I have been making a few hurried preparations." "True, Agatha, in my bewilderment and anger, I forgot for the moment the danger we incur by remaining here. Where are Father Ambrose and Matthieu?" "Matthieu is here in the château; he says he will never desert you as long as you can have need of his poor services. Father Ambrose has disappeared, but I think he is in a place of safety. But now you are to be thought of. Will you trust me?" "How can you ask that, Agatha? Have you not always proved faithful?" "I mean, can you trust me to lead, and will you follow and be guided by my suggestions?" "I will do just as you may direct. I know you have a wise head, Agatha." "This is my plan, then," continued the maid; "listen carefully while I tell it to you."