Without a word, M. le Comte turned and started up the stair. I followed him, my eyes blurred with tears. And as we went we heard a rush of feet behind us, then a chorus of groans and yells which told us that the attack had begun and that Pasdeloup stood firm. And M. le Comte’s words were ringing in my head. Pasdeloup, Pasdeloup! A better man than I! A better man than I! CHAPTER XV. THE END OF GABRIELLE’S TOWER. NOT until we had reached the platform and come out into the clear moonlight and the radiance of the glow cast by the flames was it possible for us to examine the rope and ascertain if Pasdeloup had really provided us with a means of escape. It was a cord, light, but of unusual strength, which had been passed from side to side of the bed to support the bedding, and was not rotted as I had feared. But it was too short--a glance told me that--too short by many feet to reach from the parapet to the ground. “We must use one of the windows,” I said; and M. le Comte assented with a motion of the head. I ran down to the floor below, and closing my ears as well as I could to the shrieks and curses of the mob which was struggling to force a passage of the stair, flung back the shutter of the window which looked out upon the wood opposite the château. Then cautiously I scanned the ground about the tower, but could see no evidence of any guard, nor any stragglers from the mob which was hurling itself on Pasdeloup. With a deep breath of relief I withdrew my head, and securing one end of the cord to the great hinge of the shutter, made a loop in the other. At that instant M. le Comte came down the stair bringing the women with him. He noted my arrangements at a glance and approved them with a nod. “Now, my love,” he said; and madame came forward at once, pale, but holding herself admirably in hand. By the moonlight which flooded the apartment through the open window I perceived, dark against her bosom, the handle of a dagger, and instantly I knew who had given it to her, and why. “I am ready,” she said, and lifted a radiant face to his. I knew that she believed she was going to her death and was not afraid. They may rant about equality as they will, but after all blood will tell. “Good!” he cried. “You are setting us all an example of courage. Sit here on the window-sill--so; now swing your feet over--so; now place them in this loop and grasp the rope tightly. Stay close by the tower until we descend. It will be but a moment. And now good-by, my love.” She bent and kissed him, then let herself slide slowly from the window-ledge while we braced ourselves for the shock. I could see the shudder which shook her as she whirled for a moment in mid-air. I saw her teeth sink into her lip to restrain the cry of terror which rose in her throat. Then she succeeded in steadying herself, and we lowered her hand over hand. “God grant that she has not been seen!” murmured M. le Comte; and from my heart I echoed the prayer.