"Oh! I hadn't thought of that as yet, Lenet; upon my word I hadn't. But do not turn my thoughts in that direction, for I love him so dearly that I do not know what I may be capable of wishing in the intensity of my love." "Poor child!" said Lenet, in a most compassionate tone, "why did you not say all this sooner?" "Oh! _mon Dieu!_ you terrify me. Is it too late? Is he not really safe?" "He is, since Madame la Princesse has given her word; but--" "But what?" "Alas! can one be sure of anything in this world, and do not you yourself, who believe as I do that he is safe, weep instead of rejoicing?" "I weep because I cannot visit him, my friend," Claire replied. "Consider, that he must hear these fearful noises, and believe that he is in imminent danger; consider, that he may accuse me of lukewarmness, of forgetfulness, of treachery! Oh Lenet, Lenet, what torture! Really, if the princess knew how I suffer, she would have pity on me." "Very well, viscountess, you must see him." "See him! impossible. You are well aware that I asked leave of her Highness to see him, and that her Highness refused." "I know, and I approve her refusal with all my heart; and yet--" "And yet you advise me to disobey!" cried Claire in surprise, gazing earnestly at Lenet, who lowered his eyes in confusion. "I am old, dear viscountess, and suspicious just because I am old,--not in this matter, for the princess's word is sacred. She has said that only one of the prisoners shall die; but, accustomed as I have become in the course of a long life to see fortune turn against the one who seems most secure of her favor, my rule is always to seize any opportunity that presents itself. See your _fiancé,_ viscountess; take my advice and see him." "Oh! Lenet, you terrify me beyond words; really you do!" "I have no such intention; moreover, would you prefer that I advise you not to see him? You would not, would you? And you would scold me even more severely, I know, if I had said the opposite of what I do say." "Yes, yes, I admit it. But you tell me to see him; that was my one desire; I was praying when you arrived that I might be allowed to see him. But isn't it impossible?" "Is anything impossible to the woman who took Saint-Georges?" asked Lenet, with a smile. "Alas!" said Claire, "for two hours I have been trying to think of some way of obtaining admission to the fortress, but I cannot." "What would you give me if I were to show you a way?" "I would give you--I would give you my hand on the day that I go to the altar with him." "Thanks, my child," said Lenet; "indeed, you could do nothing more acceptable to me, for I love you like a father; thanks." "Tell me the way! Tell me the way!" said Claire.