"Yes, madame, yes, for they move about and dance up and down like wills o' the wisp; do you hear how much louder and more distinct the shouts seem to grow, madame?" _"Mon Dieu!"_ faltered the young woman, falling on her knees upon the damp soil; _"mon Dieu! mon Dieu!"_ It was her only prayer. A single word presented itself to her mind; her lips could pronounce no other; it was the name of him who alone could perform a miracle in her favor. The maid was not mistaken. Torches were waving and the cries seemed to be coming nearer; a musket-shot rang out, followed by fifty others and by a tremendous uproar; then the torches vanished and the shouts receded; a storm was rumbling overhead, the rain began to fall; but what cared Nanon for that? It was not the lightning of which she was afraid. Her eyes were constantly fixed upon the spot where she had heard so great a tumult. She could no longer see or hear anything at that spot, and it seemed to her in the glare of the lightning that the square was empty. "Oh! I haven't the strength to wait here any longer," she cried. "To Bordeaux! take me to Bordeaux!" Suddenly she heard the sound of horses' footsteps rapidly approaching. "Ah! they are coming at last," she cried. "Here they are! Adieu, Finette, I must go alone; take her up behind you, Lombard, and leave in the carriage everything that I brought." "But what do you mean to do, madame, in God's name?" cried the terrified maid. "Adieu, Finette; adieu!" "But why, adieu, madame? Where are you going?" "I am going to Bordeaux." "Oh! don't do that, madame, in heaven's name! they will kill you." "Very good! for what purpose do you suppose that I am going thither?" "Oh! madame! Help, Lombard! help me prevent madame--" "Hush! leave me, Finette. I have remembered you, never fear: go; I do not wish that any harm should befall you. Obey me! They are coming nearer, here they are." As she spoke a man galloped up to the carriage, followed at some little distance by another horseman; his horse was roaring rather than breathing. "Sister! sister!" he cried. "Ah! I come in time!" "Cauvignac!" cried Nanon. "Well, is it all arranged? Is he awaiting me? Shall we go?" But, instead of replying, Cauvignac leaped down from his horse, and seized Nanon in his arms. She allowed him to do as he pleased, with the stiff inertness of ghosts and fools. He placed her in the carriage, bade Lombard and Francinette take their places beside her, closed the door, and leaped upon his horse. In vain did poor Nanon, once more in possession of her faculties, shriek and struggle. "Do not release her," said Cauvignac: "whatever happens do not release her. Keep the other door, Barrabas, and do you, coachman, keep your horses on the gallop or I'll blow your brains out."