"I fear she is also _in danger_." She started as if a bolt of ice had pierced her heart. He had spoken in that word the secret fears of many a long night. How inexpressibly more terrible do our untold terrors become, when they are spoken in our ears by the lips of strangers! "Yes, madame, I say in danger. There are odd stories afloat about Monsieur Le Prun--they may be all lies, I don't pretend to say; for in truth I don't very well _comprehend_ my friend Le Prun. But it cannot be hidden from madame, that when one wants to make away with an individual, the first step is to conceal them--to cut them off from all intercourse with the world, and cause them to be forgotten. Madame understands me?" "Yes, yes--oh, my God!" "Madame must learn to command herself, if she wishes to prolong our conversation. We must _appear_, at least, indifferent. There are _spies_ watching our gestures and countenances, though they can't hear our words." "I will--thank you, thank you: but for the mercy of God, monsieur, will you suffer me to perish?" "No, madame, if you will aid in your own deliverance. Will you fly with me to-morrow night?" "If monsieur, for the charity of heaven, will undertake to act only as my brother and protector." "By my faith, madame, I'll put myself under no conditions." "Monsieur de Blassemare, have you no honor, no pity, no manhood? Will you be accessory to a _murder_? I will go with you on no other terms." "I accept none, madame." "You are a coward, sir, and a criminal." "Madame might command, at least, her countenance and her gestures; imitate me. You call me hard names; I'm prepared for them. Now listen: I won't accept your condition, because, if I did, I should keep my word; and, I tell you frankly, I won't despair, and I don't despair. But, madame, you shan't perish. What do you say to leaving the chateau with De Secqville?" "Yes, _he_ will agree to whatever I propose." "I dare say." "But when--how?" "To-morrow night, at ten o'clock, through that door; a coach shall wait in the park. You know the well under the two chestnut-trees; there he will await you; don't fail--a moment late, and all may be lost." "But--but how to evade the woman who watches me?" "She shall be perfectly drunk." "And the man?" "Drunker still. Leave all details to me. There are more than one Argus besides these; but a man of resource is at home among difficulties. Watch at ten o'clock. When you see a light in the window of the small pavilion, all is prepared: you will find the door open." Blassemare signed to the woman to approach, and said, as he bowed his adieu, in a louder key-- "I shall not fail, madame, to report to Monsieur Le Prun the unfortunate temper in which I have the honor to find you." "And have the goodness to add, that I only regret my inability to repeat the same sentiments in his presence." "Madame shall be obeyed."