If the reader will take the trouble to remember, this was not the first time that Master Cauvignac's worthy lieutenant had had the honor of appearing in Madame de Condé's presence. He alighted, and as he knew the road, darted rapidly up the staircase, passed through the crowd of startled servants, and made his way into the princess's suite. There he halted, for he found himself face to face with a woman at whose feet another woman was kneeling. "Oh! madame, mercy, in the name of Heaven!" the latter was saying. "Leave me, Claire," replied the princess; "be reasonable; remember that we have laid aside the emotions of womankind as well as the garments; we are Monsieur le Prince's lieutenants, and reasons of State control our actions." "Oh! madame, there are no such things as reasons of State for me," cried Claire; "nor political parties; nor opinions. For me there is nothing and nobody in the world but the man who is to leave it, and when he has left it there will be naught for me but death!" "Claire, my child, I have already told you that it is impossible; they put Richon to death, and if we do not return like for like we shall be dishonored." "Ah! madame, one is never dishonored for having pardoned; one is never dishonored for having made use of the prerogative which belongs only to the King of Heaven, and the kings of earth; one word, madame, a single word; the poor boy is waiting!" "Why, Claire, you are mad! I tell you it is impossible!" "But I told him that he was safe; I showed him his pardon signed by your own hand; I told him that I would return with your ratification of the pardon!" "I signed it on condition that the other was to die; why did he allow the other to escape?" "He had absolutely no part in the escape, I give you my solemn word; besides, the other may not have escaped; he may yet be found." "Very true! beware!" interposed Barrabas, who arrived at that moment. "Madame, they will take him away; the time is flying, madame; they will grow weary of waiting." "You are right, Claire," said the princess, "for I ordered that it should be all over at eleven, and the clock is just striking eleven; it must be all over." The viscountess uttered a shriek of despair, and rose to her feet, to find herself face to face with Barrabas. "Who are you? what do you want?" she cried. "Have you come so soon to tell me of his death?" "No, madame," replied Barrabas, assuming his most affable expression, "on the contrary, I come to save him." "How so?" cried Claire; "speak at once!" "By handing this letter to Madame la Princesse." Claire put out her hand, snatched the letter from the messenger, and handed it to the princess. "I have no idea what there may be in this letter," said she, "but in Heaven's name read it!" The princess opened the letter and read it aloud, while Madame de Cambes, turning paler at every line, devoured the words as they fell from her Highness's lips.