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07 - In the Reign of Terror: The Adventures of a Westminster Boy by G A Henty · In the Reign of Terror: The Adventures of a Westminster Boy

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Speaker 1: Recording by gen Ramundo, Chapter six an anxious time. Harry
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Speaker 1: and the girls had brought bundles of clothes with them
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Speaker 1: in their flight, as it would have looked strange had
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Speaker 1: they arrived without any clothes save those they wore. Harry
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Speaker 1: had brought with him only under linen, as he had
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Speaker 1: nothing else which would be of service to him. Now.
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Speaker 1: No sooner had Louise Moulin left him than he went
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Speaker 1: out and purchased at a second hand shop a workman's suit.
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Speaker 1: This he carried home, and, dressing himself in it, descended
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Speaker 1: the stairs again and set out to retrace his steps
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Speaker 1: across Paris. When he reached the mansion of the Maquis,
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Speaker 1: he found a crowd of people going in and out.
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Speaker 1: Those leaving the house were laiden with articles of furniture, clocks, pictures, bedding,
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Speaker 1: and other things. A complete sack of the mansion was
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Speaker 1: indeed taking place. The servants had all fled after the
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Speaker 1: rest of the Mackie and his wife and the mob
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Speaker 1: had taken possession of the house. The lofty mirrors were
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Speaker 1: smashed into fragments, the costly hangings torn down, and after
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Speaker 1: they had destroyed much of the elaborate furniture. Every man,
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Speaker 1: man and woman began to lay hands upon whatever they fancied,
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Speaker 1: and the mansion was already stripped of the greater part
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Speaker 1: of its belongings. With his hands in his pockets, whistling carelessly,
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Speaker 1: Harry wandered from room to room, watching the proceedings. Several
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Speaker 1: barrels of wine had been brought up into the salon,
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Speaker 1: and round these were gathered a number of already drunken men, singing,
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Speaker 1: shouting and dancing. Drink, Drink, my garson, a woman said,
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Speaker 1: holding a silver goblet full of wine towards him. Drink
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Speaker 1: confusion to the tyrants, and liberty and freedom to the people.
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Speaker 1: Harry drank the toast without hesitation, and then, heartsick at
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Speaker 1: the destruction and ruin, wandered out again into the streets,
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Speaker 1: knowing the anxiety which Marie would be suffering as to
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Speaker 1: the safety of her lover. He next took his way
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Speaker 1: to the mansion of the Duc de Guison. The house
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Speaker 1: was shut up, but groups of men were standing in
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Speaker 1: the road opposite, talking, sauntering along. Harry stopped near enough
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Speaker 1: to one of these to hear what they were saying.
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Speaker 1: He learned that the Duke had been arrested only that morning.
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Speaker 1: It had been affected quietly. The doors had again be
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Speaker 1: locked before those in the neighborhood knew what was going on,
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Speaker 1: and a guard had been left inside, partly as it
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Speaker 1: was said, in order that the mansion might be preserved
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Speaker 1: from pillage and be used for public purposes, partly that
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Speaker 1: the young count, who was absent might be arrested when
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Speaker 1: he returned. As Harry knew that the Duke had estates
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Speaker 1: in the neighborhood of Fontainebleau, he thought it probable that
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Speaker 1: Victor might have gone thither, and yet once proceeded towards
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Speaker 1: the gate by which he would enter on his return.
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Speaker 1: Thence he sat down a short distance outside the gate
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Speaker 1: and watched patiently for some hours until he perceived a
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Speaker 1: horseman approaching at a gallop, and at once recognized Victor
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Speaker 1: de Guizon. Harry went forward on the road and held
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Speaker 1: out his arms. The young count, not recognizing him, did
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Speaker 1: not check his horse, and would have ridden him down
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Speaker 1: had he not jumped aside at the same time, shouting
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Speaker 1: to him by name to stop. What do you want,
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Speaker 1: fellow Victor exclaimed, reining in his horse. You do not
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Speaker 1: recognize me, Harry said, I am Harry Sandwythcount, and I
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Speaker 1: am here to warn you of the danger of proceeding.
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Speaker 1: Why what has happened, Victor exclaimed anxiously, and why are
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Speaker 1: you in disguise, Monsieur Saint wuythe A great number of
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Speaker 1: arrests have taken place in the night, among them that
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Speaker 1: of the Marquis de Saint Corlin and your father. Men
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Speaker 1: are waiting inside your house to rest you. As you enter,
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Speaker 1: Victor uttered an exclamation of anger. That is why I've
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Speaker 1: been sent away, he said. My father had no doubt
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Speaker 1: received a warning of what was about to happen, and
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Speaker 1: yesterday at noon he requested me to ride to his
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Speaker 1: estate and have an interview with the steward as to
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Speaker 1: the rents. I wondered at his sending me so suddenly,
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Speaker 1: and feeling uneasy, rode their post haste, saw the steward
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Speaker 1: last night, and started again on a fresh horse this morning.
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Speaker 1: This accounts for it. He knew that if I were there,
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Speaker 1: nothing would have induced me to separate myself from him,
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Speaker 1: while by sending me away, he left it me to
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Speaker 1: do as I thought fit afterwards, trusting that when I
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Speaker 1: found that he was already imprisoned, I might follow the
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Speaker 1: council he had urged upon me to make my escape
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Speaker 1: from the country. And how about the ladies. How about Marie?
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Speaker 1: The maquise was conveyed to prison with the Maquis. The
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Speaker 1: three young ladies are all safe with their mother's old servant,
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Speaker 1: Louis Moulain. This is her address. They aren't disguise as peasants,
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Speaker 1: and no suspicion will I hope arise as to their
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Speaker 1: real position, not that the Maquis thought it probable they
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Speaker 1: would be included in the order of arrest, but he
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Speaker 1: said there was no knowing now to what lengths the
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Speaker 1: mab might go, and he thought it better that they
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Speaker 1: should disappear altogether for the present. Ernest and Jeweles went
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Speaker 1: away in disguise with Monsieur de Ierre. After seeing the
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Speaker 1: young ladies in safety this morning, I went down to
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Speaker 1: see what had happened at your father's mansion in order
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Speaker 1: to assuage Mademoiselle de Saint Call's anxiety respecting your safety,
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Speaker 1: and found, as I expected, that the Duke had been arrested,
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Speaker 1: and learned that a party were inside waiting to arrest
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Speaker 1: you on your return. I thank you indeed, Victor said,
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Speaker 1: and most warmly, I do not know what to do.
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Speaker 1: My father is most anxious that I should cross the frontier,
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Speaker 1: but I cannot go so long as he and Marie
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Speaker 1: are in danger. If you enter Paria as you are,
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Speaker 1: Harry said, you are certain to be arrested. Your only
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Speaker 1: chance would be to do as I have done, namely,
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Speaker 1: to disguise yourself and take a small lodging where you
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Speaker 1: might live unsuspected, and in that way I can see
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Speaker 1: Marie sometimes. Victor said, you could do so. Harry agreed
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Speaker 1: in a somewhat hesitating way, but it would greatly add
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Speaker 1: to her danger, and were you detected, might lead to
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Speaker 1: the discovery of her disguise. Besides, the thought that you
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Speaker 1: were liable to arrest at any time would naturally heighten
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Speaker 1: the anxiety from which she is suffering as to the
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Speaker 1: fate of her father and mother. But I cannot and
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Speaker 1: will not run away and leave them all here in danger,
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Speaker 1: Victor said, passionately. I would not advise you to do so.
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Speaker 1: Harry replied, I would only suggest that, after seeing Mademoiselle
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Speaker 1: de Saint call once, you should lead her to believe
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Speaker 1: that you have decided upon making for the frontier, and
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Speaker 1: she will therefore have the happiness of believing that you
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Speaker 1: are safe while you are still near and watching over her.
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Speaker 1: That is all very well, Victor said, But what a
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Speaker 1: opinion which you have of me? If she thought me
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Speaker 1: capable of deserting her in that way, you would represent
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Speaker 1: that you were obeying the Duke's orders. And besides, if
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Speaker 1: you did suffer in her opinion, it would be but temporarily,
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Speaker 1: for when she learned the truth that you had only
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Speaker 1: pretended to leave in order that her position might be
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Speaker 1: the safer and that her mind might be relieved, she
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Speaker 1: could only think more highly of you. Besides, if necessary,
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Speaker 1: you could at any time again present yourself before her.
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Speaker 1: Your counsel is good, Monsieur sainuyth, and I will, at
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Speaker 1: any rate, for a time follow it as you can say.
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Speaker 1: I can at any time reappear where are you lodging.
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Speaker 1: I will take a room near, and we can meet
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Speaker 1: and compare notes and act together. Harry gave him his address.
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Speaker 1: You have only to walk upstairs to the top story.
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Speaker 1: My room is the one directly opposite the top of
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Speaker 1: the stairs. I will call on you tomorrow morning, Victor said,
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Speaker 1: I will ride my horse a few miles back, and
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Speaker 1: turn him loose in some quiet place, and by at
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Speaker 1: the first village a blouse and a workman's pantaloons. I
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Speaker 1: think Harry said that would begin one count. It would
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Speaker 1: look strange in the extreme for a gentleman, dressed as
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Speaker 1: you are, to make such a purchase. You might be
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Speaker 1: at once arrested, or a report of the circumstance might
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Speaker 1: be sent into Paris and lead to your discovery. If
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Speaker 1: you will wait here for half an hour, I will
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Speaker 1: go back and buy you the things you want at
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Speaker 1: the first shop I come to, and bring them out
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Speaker 1: to you. Then you can ride back and loose the
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Speaker 1: horse as you propose, But I should advise you to
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Speaker 1: hide the saddle and bridle, as well as the clothes
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Speaker 1: you are now wearing most carefully. Whoever finds your horse
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Speaker 1: will probably appropriate it and will say nothing about it,
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Speaker 1: so that all clue to your movements will be lost,
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Speaker 1: and it will be supposed that you have ridden to
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Speaker 1: the frontier. Best, Monsieur Sainwyth, you seem to have had
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Speaker 1: ready for all emergencies. I know what a high opinion
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Speaker 1: the Marquis had of you, and I perceive that it
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Speaker 1: is fully justified, and consider myself as fortunate indeed in
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Speaker 1: having you for a friend. In such a time as
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Speaker 1: the present, we have need of all our wits, Harry
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Speaker 1: said quietly. The Marquis was good enough to accept my
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Speaker 1: offer to do all that I could to look after
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Speaker 1: the safety of Mademoiselle's and if I fail in my trust,
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Speaker 1: it will not, I hope, be for any lack of
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Speaker 1: care or courage. The meeting had taken place at a
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Speaker 1: point where it could not be observed from the gate,
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Speaker 1: and the Count withdrew a few hundred yards farther away,
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Speaker 1: while Harry went back into Paris. The latter had no
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Speaker 1: difficulty in purchasing the clothes required by the Count, and
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Speaker 1: returned with them in a little over a quarter of an hour,
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Speaker 1: and then, having seen Di Gison ride off, he sauntered
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Speaker 1: back into Paris and made his way towards the heart
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Speaker 1: of the city. Crossing the river, he found a vast
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Speaker 1: crowd gathered in front of the Hotel de Ville. The
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Speaker 1: news of the wholesale arrests which had been made during
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Speaker 1: the night had filled the populace with joy, and the
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Speaker 1: air was full of shouts of down with the aristocrats
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Speaker 1: Vive D'anhong, Vive Murant, Vive Robespierre. Hawkers were selling in
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Speaker 1: the crowd newspapers and broadsheets filled with the foulest attacks
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Speaker 1: couched in the most horrible language upon the King, the Queen,
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Speaker 1: and the aristocracy. At various points, men mounted upon steps
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Speaker 1: or the pedestals of statues harangued the mob, while from
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Speaker 1: time to time time the crowd opened and made way
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Speaker 1: for members of the city Council, who were cheered or
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Speaker 1: hooted according to their supposed sentiments for or against the
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Speaker 1: cause of the people. After remaining there for some time,
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Speaker 1: Harry made his way to the entrance to the assembly.
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Speaker 1: A crowd was gathered here, and a tremendous rush was
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Speaker 1: made when the doors were opened. Harry managed to force
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Speaker 1: his way in and sat for some hours listening to
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Speaker 1: the debate, which was constantly interrupted by the people in
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Speaker 1: the galleries, who applauded with frenzy the speeches of their
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Speaker 1: favorite orators, the deputies of the mountain as the bank
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Speaker 1: of seats occupied by the Jacobin members was named, and
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Speaker 1: howled and yelled when the Girondez ventured to advocate moderation
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Speaker 1: or conciliation. It was late in the evening before the
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Speaker 1: sitting was over, and Harry was unable to leave his
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Speaker 1: place earlier. Then he went and had separ at a
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Speaker 1: wine shop, and after sauntering on the boulevards until the
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Speaker 1: streets began to be deserted, he again crossed the river
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Speaker 1: and made his way to the mansion. Not a light
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Speaker 1: was to be seen in the windows, and all was
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Speaker 1: still and quiet. The great door stood open. The work
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Speaker 1: of destruction and was complete. The house was stripped of
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Speaker 1: everything that could be carried away. Harry made his way
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Speaker 1: up to the bedroom of the Maquis. The massive bedsteads
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Speaker 1: still stood in its place, having defied the efforts of destruction,
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Speaker 1: which had proved successful with the cabinets and other furniture.
10:15
Speaker 1: Sitting down on the floor, Harry counted the boards beneath
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Speaker 1: the bed, and then, taking out a strong knife which
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Speaker 1: he had purchased during the day, he inserted it by
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Speaker 1: the side of the middle board and tried to raise it.
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Speaker 1: It yielded without difficulty to his effort. As soon as
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Speaker 1: it was lifted, he groped in the cavity below it,
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Speaker 1: and his hand soon came in contact with a heavy bag,
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Speaker 1: taking this out and putting it beneath his blouse, he
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Speaker 1: replaced the board and made his way downstairs. He felt
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Speaker 1: too fatigued to walk across Paris again, and therefore made
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Speaker 1: his way down to the river and curled himself up
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Speaker 1: for the night at the foot of the woodpile where
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Speaker 1: the girls had found shelter. In the morning, and in
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Speaker 1: spite of the novelty of his situation, fell instantly asleep.
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Speaker 1: It was broad daylight when he woke, and an hour
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Speaker 1: later he regained his his lodgings, stopping by the way
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Speaker 1: to breakfast at a quiet as stamine frequented by the
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Speaker 1: better class of workmen. As when he had sallied out
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Speaker 1: the day before. He was fortunate in meeting no one.
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Speaker 1: As he made his way up the stairs to his room.
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Speaker 1: His first step was to get up aboard and to
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Speaker 1: deposit beneath it the bag of money. Then, having changed
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Speaker 1: his clothes, he went out and made a variety of
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Speaker 1: purchases for housekeeping, as he did not wish to be
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Speaker 1: obliged to take his meals at places where anyone sitting
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Speaker 1: at the table with him might enter into conversation. His
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Speaker 1: French was quite good enough to pass in the salon
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Speaker 1: of the marquis. But his ignorance of the Parisians slag
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Speaker 1: spoken among the working classes would have rendered it difficult
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Speaker 1: for him to keep up his assumed character among them,
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Speaker 1: and would have needed the fabrication of all sorts of
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Speaker 1: stories as to his birthplace and past history. Although in
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Speaker 1: the position in which he was placed, Harry felt that
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Speaker 1: it would be impossible always to adhere to the truth,
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Speaker 1: he shrank from any falsehoods that could possibly be avoided.
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Speaker 1: His first duty, in order to carry out the task
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Speaker 1: he had undertaken, was to keep up his disguise, and
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Speaker 1: this must be done even at the cost of telling
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Speaker 1: lies as to his antecedents. But he was determined that
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Speaker 1: he would avoid this unpleasant necessity as far as lay
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Speaker 1: in his power. At nine o'clock he made his way
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Speaker 1: to the apartments of Louise Moulin. His entry was received
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Speaker 1: with a cry of satisfaction from the girls. What is
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Speaker 1: the news, Harry Jean exclaimed. We expected you here yesterday
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Speaker 1: evening and sat up till ten o'clock. I was over
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Speaker 1: the other side of the river, discharging a mission your
12:28
Speaker 1: father had confided to me, and did not get back
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Speaker 1: till this morning. I knew he was prevented by something,
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Speaker 1: John said triumphantly. I told you so, Marie, didn't I yes, dear,
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Speaker 1: I was wrong to be impatient, but you will forgive me, Harry.
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Speaker 1: You can guess how I suffered yesterday. It was natural
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Speaker 1: you should expect me, Mademoiselle. I was sorry afterwards that
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Speaker 1: I did not tell you when I left you that
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Speaker 1: I should not be able to come in the evening,
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Speaker 1: but indeed I did not think of it at the time.
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Speaker 1: And now for your news, Harry, Jean asked impatiently. Have
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Speaker 1: you learned anything about her father and mother. I am
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Speaker 1: sorry to say I have not, except that they, with
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Speaker 1: many others, were taken to the prison of Beset. But
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Speaker 1: I have good news for you, Mademoiselle Marie. After going
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Speaker 1: first to the house and finding it in the possession
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Speaker 1: of a hideous mob who were plundering and drinking, I
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Speaker 1: went to see what had taken place at the hotel
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Speaker 1: of the Duc de Guison. I found that he had,
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Speaker 1: like your father, been arrested in the night. I learned
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Speaker 1: that the count was absent, and that a party were
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Speaker 1: inside in readiness to arrest him on his return. Thinking
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Speaker 1: it probable that he might have gone down to their
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Speaker 1: estate near Fontainebleau. I went beyond the gate on that
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Speaker 1: road and waited for him. I had the good fortune
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Speaker 1: to meet him, to warn him of his danger and
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Speaker 1: to prevent his returning to town. He rode away with
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Speaker 1: a suit of workmen's clothes I had procured for him,
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Speaker 1: and was to enter Paris in that disguise in the evening.
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Speaker 1: He is to call on me at ten o'clock, and
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Speaker 1: I will then conduct him hither. I thought it best
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Speaker 1: to come in before to let you know that he
13:55
Speaker 1: was coming. Marie burst into tears of happiness at hearing
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Speaker 1: that her lover had escaped from the danger which threatened.
14:02
Speaker 1: Worn Out by the fatigue and anxiety of the previous night,
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Speaker 1: she had slept for some hours after reaching the shelter
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Speaker 1: of the old nurse's roof, but she had lain awake
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Speaker 1: all night thinking over the danger of all those dear
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Speaker 1: to her. She was now completely overcome with the revulsion
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Speaker 1: of feeling. You are a dear boy, Harry John said,
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Speaker 1: with frank admiration, while Marie sobbed out exclamations of gratitude.
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Speaker 1: You do seem to think about everything, And now Marie
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Speaker 1: knows that Victor is safe. I do hope she is
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Speaker 1: going to be more like herself, as I tell her
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Speaker 1: they cannot hurt father or mother. They have done no wrong,
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Speaker 1: and they must let them out of prison. After a
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Speaker 1: time Mamma said, we were to be brave, and at
14:39
Speaker 1: any rate, I try to be, and so does Virginie,
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Speaker 1: though she does cry sometimes. And now I hope Marie
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Speaker 1: will be cheerful too, and not go about the rooms
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Speaker 1: looking so downcast and wretched. It seems to me a
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Speaker 1: miserable thing being in love. I should have thought Marie
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Speaker 1: would have been the last person to be downcast, for
14:55
Speaker 1: no one is prouder of being a sat call than
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Speaker 1: she is. I shall be better now, Jean Marie said, smiling
15:02
Speaker 1: as she wiped away her tears. You shall not have
15:05
Speaker 1: any reason to complain of me in future. But do
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Speaker 1: you not think, carry she went on, with a return
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Speaker 1: of her anxiety, that it is very dangerous for Victor
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Speaker 1: to come back into Paris. I know that his father
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Speaker 1: has long been praying for him to make for the frontier.
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Speaker 1: I do not think it is very dangerous at present, Mademoiselle,
15:22
Speaker 1: although it may be later if this rage against the
15:25
Speaker 1: aristocrats increases. But I hope that when he has once
15:28
Speaker 1: seen you, which is his principal object in returning to Paris,
15:31
Speaker 1: he will carry out his father's wishes and make for
15:33
Speaker 1: the frontier. For his presence here can be of no
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Speaker 1: possible utility. Oh I hope, so, Marie said, for I
15:40
Speaker 1: am sure Victor would soon be found out. He could
15:42
Speaker 1: never make himself look like one of these canay, why
15:46
Speaker 1: shouldn't he, Jean said, indignantly, Harry does, and he is
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Speaker 1: just as good looking as Victor. Marie bursts into a
15:53
Speaker 1: fit of laughter. What a champion you are, child, to
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Speaker 1: be sure, but you are quite right close after all,
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Speaker 1: do go a long way towards making a man. Still,
16:03
Speaker 1: although I think that it is dangerous for Harry, I
16:05
Speaker 1: think it will be more dangerous for Victor, because you see,
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Speaker 1: he is a man, and he has the manner of
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Speaker 1: his race, and would find it more difficult to pass
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Speaker 1: himself off as a workman than Harry, who has got
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Speaker 1: something of English. And she hesitated roughness. Harry put in laughing,
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Speaker 1: You are quite right, mademoiselle. I can assure you that
16:24
Speaker 1: with these thick shoes on, I find it quite natural
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Speaker 1: for me to slouch along as the workmen do, and
16:29
Speaker 1: it will be much more difficult for the count, who
16:31
Speaker 1: always walks with his head thrown back and a sort
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Speaker 1: of air of looking down upon mankind in general. Marie
16:37
Speaker 1: laughed this time, that is a fair retort. Victor certainly
16:41
Speaker 1: has the grand manner. However, I shall order him to go,
16:44
Speaker 1: and if he won't obey his father's wishes, he will
16:47
Speaker 1: have to give way to mine. I think, Mademoiselle, that
16:51
Speaker 1: it would be wiser for Monsieur de Guillon to meet
16:53
Speaker 1: you elsewhere than here. The arrival of three relations to
16:56
Speaker 1: start with Madame Noulin is sure to attract some little
16:59
Speaker 1: at among her neighbors. Just at first, you will be
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Speaker 1: the subject of talk and gossip. My visit will no
17:05
Speaker 1: doubt be noticed, and it will be as well that
17:07
Speaker 1: there should not be more material for talk. The less
17:10
Speaker 1: we attract attention the better. No doubt, many have escaped
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Speaker 1: a rest, and there will be a sharp lookout for,
17:16
Speaker 1: as they will call us suspicious persons. I should propose,
17:19
Speaker 1: if you have no objection to such a course, that
17:22
Speaker 1: you should stroll out with your sisters and Louise through
17:24
Speaker 1: the fields to Saint Denis. The Count will be in
17:26
Speaker 1: my room in a few minutes. We can keep a
17:28
Speaker 1: lookout from my window and follow you at a distance
17:30
Speaker 1: until we get clear from the observation beyond the gates.
17:34
Speaker 1: Marie looked at Madame Moulin, who nodded that would be
17:37
Speaker 1: the best plan. My dear, what Monsieur sand Mays says
17:40
Speaker 1: is very true. The less we give the neighbors to
17:42
Speaker 1: gossip about, the better, For though your disguises are good,
17:45
Speaker 1: if sharp eyes are watching you, they may note something
17:48
Speaker 1: in your walk or air that may excite suspicion that
17:51
Speaker 1: being arranged. Then you must excuse me, for it is
17:53
Speaker 1: just the time when the Count was to arrive, and
17:55
Speaker 1: I fancy that he will be before rather than behind time. Indeed,
18:00
Speaker 1: upon reaching the door of his room, Harry found the
18:01
Speaker 1: young Count standing there. Oh it is you, friend, Harry.
18:05
Speaker 1: I have been here ten minutes, and I began to
18:07
Speaker 1: be afraid that something might have happened to you, and
18:09
Speaker 1: to imagine all sorts of things. It is still three
18:13
Speaker 1: or four minutes before the time we agreed upon, Victor,
18:16
Speaker 1: Harry said in a loud voice, for at this moment
18:18
Speaker 1: one of the other doors opened, and a woman came
18:20
Speaker 1: out with a basket in her arms. I've been looking
18:24
Speaker 1: about his usual, but without luck so far. I suppose
18:27
Speaker 1: you have had no better fortune in your search for work.
18:30
Speaker 1: He had by this time unlocked his door, and the
18:32
Speaker 1: two entered together. I must call you by your Christian name, Count,
18:36
Speaker 1: and will do so if you don't mind when alone,
18:39
Speaker 1: as at other times otherwise the title might slip out accidentally.
18:43
Speaker 1: Will you, on your part call me Onrie, as you know,
18:45
Speaker 1: the Marquis and his family called me Harry, which is
18:48
Speaker 1: the ordinary way in England of calling any one whose
18:50
Speaker 1: name is Henry, that is, unless he is a soft
18:52
Speaker 1: sort of fellow. But I must ask them to call
18:55
Speaker 1: me on Ree. Now Harry would never do here. Have
18:58
Speaker 1: you seen them? Was the king Ount's first question. I've
19:01
Speaker 1: just left them, Victor, and if you look out from
19:04
Speaker 1: that window into the street, you will in a few
19:06
Speaker 1: minutes see them. Also. They are just going for a
19:08
Speaker 1: ramble towards Saint Denis, and we will follow them. I
19:11
Speaker 1: thought it safer not to attract attention by going to
19:13
Speaker 1: the house, and I also thought that it would be
19:15
Speaker 1: more pleasant for you to talk to Mademoiselle de saint cars.
19:18
Speaker 1: Out there in the fields than in a little room
19:20
Speaker 1: with us present, much more pleasant. Indeed, I was wondering
19:24
Speaker 1: whether I should get an opportunity for a few minutes
19:26
Speaker 1: talk alone with her. They both took their places at
19:30
Speaker 1: the open window and lead out, apparently chatting and carelessly
19:33
Speaker 1: watching what was passing in the street. A quarter of
19:36
Speaker 1: an hour later they saw Louise, Mila and the girls
19:38
Speaker 1: come out from their house. We had better come away
19:40
Speaker 1: from the window now, Harry said, Virginie might look up
19:43
Speaker 1: a nod. We can't be too careful. They waited three
19:47
Speaker 1: or four minutes to allow the others to get well ahead,
19:49
Speaker 1: and then started out after them. They walked fast until
19:52
Speaker 1: they caught sight of the others, and then kept some
19:54
Speaker 1: distance behind until the party had left the town and
19:57
Speaker 1: were out among the fields which lay between Paris and
19:59
Speaker 1: Saint de They then quickened their pace and were soon
20:02
Speaker 1: up with them. The greeting between the lovers was a
20:05
Speaker 1: silent one. Few words were spoken that their faces expressed
20:09
Speaker 1: their joy at meeting again after the perils through which
20:11
Speaker 1: they had passed. There was a little pause, and then Harry,
20:14
Speaker 1: as usual, took the lead. I will stroll on to
20:18
Speaker 1: Saint Denis and back with Jean and Virginny. Madame Mouline
20:21
Speaker 1: can sit down on that log of there and go
20:23
Speaker 1: on with her knitting. You, Victor can ramble on with
20:25
Speaker 1: Mademoiselle by that path through the field. We will agree
20:28
Speaker 1: to meet here again in an hour. This arrangement was
20:32
Speaker 1: carried out. Jean and Virginnie really enjoyed their walk. The
20:35
Speaker 1: latter thought their disguise was great fun, and, being naturally
20:38
Speaker 1: a little mimic, imitated so well the walk and manner
20:41
Speaker 1: of the country children. She had seen in her walks
20:43
Speaker 1: near the chateau, that her sister and Harry were greatly amused.
20:47
Speaker 1: I like this too, Harry, Jean said. It would not
20:50
Speaker 1: be nice to be a peasant girl for many things,
20:52
Speaker 1: but it must be joyful to be able to walk
20:55
Speaker 1: and run and do just as you please, without having
20:57
Speaker 1: a governor not always with you, to say, hold up
21:00
Speaker 1: your head, Mademoiselle Jean, do not swing your arms, Mademoiselle Jean,
21:04
Speaker 1: please walk more sedately, Mademoiselle Jean, Oh, it was hateful.
21:08
Speaker 1: Now we might run, mightn't we. Harry, Oh, by the way, Jean,
21:12
Speaker 1: please call me Henri. Now Harry is English, and people
21:15
Speaker 1: would notice directly if you happen to say it while
21:18
Speaker 1: anyone is near. I like Harry best, Jean said, But
21:22
Speaker 1: of course I should not say it before the people.
21:24
Speaker 1: But may we run just for once? Certainly you may,
21:28
Speaker 1: Harry laughed. You and Virginie can never race to the
21:31
Speaker 1: corner of that wall. Come on, Virginie, Jean cried as
21:34
Speaker 1: she started, and the two girls ran at full speed
21:36
Speaker 1: to the wall, Jean, however, completely distancing her younger sister.
21:41
Speaker 1: They were both laughing when Harry came up. That is
21:44
Speaker 1: the first time I have run a race, Jean said.
21:47
Speaker 1: I've often wanted to try how fast I could run,
21:50
Speaker 1: but I have never ventured to death. Mademoiselle, she would
21:52
Speaker 1: have been horrified. But I don't know how it is.
21:55
Speaker 1: Virginie does not run faster. Virginie has more flesh, Harry said, smiling.
22:00
Speaker 1: She carries weight, as we should say in England, while
22:02
Speaker 1: you have nothing to spare. And she is three years older,
22:06
Speaker 1: Virginny put in, Jean is jes sixteen and I'm not
22:09
Speaker 1: thirteen yet. It makes a difference, a great deal of difference.
22:13
Speaker 1: Harry agreed. But I don't think you will ever run
22:15
Speaker 1: as fast as she does. That will not matter, you know,
22:19
Speaker 1: he went on, as Virginie looked a little disappointed, because
22:22
Speaker 1: it is not likely that you will ever race again.
22:25
Speaker 1: But Jean looks cut out for a runner, just the
22:27
Speaker 1: bills you see, tall and slim and active. Yes, Virginny
22:31
Speaker 1: agreed frankly. Jean has walked ever so far and never
22:34
Speaker 1: gets tired, while I get dreadfully tired. Mamma says. Sometimes
22:38
Speaker 1: I'm quite a baby for my age. Here are some
22:41
Speaker 1: people coming, Harry said, as we passed them. Please talk
22:44
Speaker 1: with little patois. Your good French would be suspicious. All
22:48
Speaker 1: the children of the Maquis, from their visits among the
22:51
Speaker 1: peasants cottages, had picked up a good deal of the
22:53
Speaker 1: Burgundian patois, and when talking among themselves, often use the
22:57
Speaker 1: expressions current among the peasantry. And they now drop into
23:00
Speaker 1: this talk, which Harry had also acquired. As they passed
23:03
Speaker 1: a group of people coming in from Saint Denis. They
23:05
Speaker 1: walked nearly as far as that town, and then turned
23:08
Speaker 1: and reached the point where the party had separated. A
23:10
Speaker 1: few minutes before the expiration of the appointed hour. The
23:13
Speaker 1: two girls ran away to Louise Moulain and chatted to
23:16
Speaker 1: her gaily while Harry walked up and down, until a
23:19
Speaker 1: quarter of an hour later, the Count and Marie made
23:22
Speaker 1: their appearance. The party stood talking together for a few minutes.
23:26
Speaker 1: Then a jews were said with a very pale face,
23:29
Speaker 1: but with firmness on Marie's part, and then the girls
23:32
Speaker 1: with Louise turned their faces to Paris, while Harry and
23:35
Speaker 1: Victor remained behind until they had got well on their way.
23:38
Speaker 1: It was hard to deceive her, Victor said, but you
23:41
Speaker 1: were right. She insisted that I should go. I seemed
23:44
Speaker 1: to resist, and urged that it was cowardly for me
23:46
Speaker 1: to run away and to leave her here alone. But
23:48
Speaker 1: she would not listen to it. She said it was
23:50
Speaker 1: a duty I owed to my father and family to
23:52
Speaker 1: save myself, and that she should be wretched if she
23:55
Speaker 1: thought I was in Paris in constant danger of arrest.
23:58
Speaker 1: Finally I had to give way to her, but it
24:00
Speaker 1: went against the grain, for even while she was urging me,
24:03
Speaker 1: she must have felt in her heart it would be
24:05
Speaker 1: cowardly of me to go. However, she will know some
24:09
Speaker 1: day that Victor de Guison is no coward. I am
24:13
Speaker 1: sure it is better, so Harry said, she will have
24:16
Speaker 1: anxiety enough to bear as to her father and mother.
24:19
Speaker 1: It is well that her mind should be at ease
24:20
Speaker 1: concerning you. In reality, Victor said, I shall be safer
24:24
Speaker 1: here than I should be journeying towards the frontier. The
24:27
Speaker 1: papers this morning say that in consequence of the escape
24:30
Speaker 1: of suspected persons and of the emigration of the nobles
24:33
Speaker 1: to join the enemies of France, orders have been sent
24:35
Speaker 1: that the strictest scrutiny is to be exercised on the
24:38
Speaker 1: roads leading to the frontier. Over All strangers who may
24:41
Speaker 1: pass through, all who cannot give a perfectly satisfactory account
24:44
Speaker 1: of themselves and produce their papers on red, are to
24:47
Speaker 1: be arrested and sent to Paris. Therefore, my chance of
24:50
Speaker 1: getting through would be small. Indeed, whereas while remaining in
24:53
Speaker 1: Paris there can be little fear of detection, not much risk,
24:57
Speaker 1: I hope Harry agreed. But there is no saying what
25:00
Speaker 1: stringent steps they may take. As time goes on. Victor
25:04
Speaker 1: had taken a lodging a few houses from that of Harry.
25:06
Speaker 1: Every day the excitement in Paris increased. Every day there
25:10
Speaker 1: were fresh arrests, until all the prisons became crowded to overflowing.
25:14
Speaker 1: It was late in August. The Prussians were advancing and
25:16
Speaker 1: had laid siege to Verdon, and terror was added to
25:19
Speaker 1: the emotions, which excited to madness the population of Paris.
25:23
Speaker 1: Black flags were hung from the steeples, and Danton and
25:26
Speaker 1: his allies skillfully used the fear inspired by the foreign
25:29
Speaker 1: enemy to add to the general hatred of the Royalists.
25:34
Speaker 1: We Republicans, he said, in the rostrum of the Assembly,
25:37
Speaker 1: are exposed to two parties, that of the enemy without
25:41
Speaker 1: that of the Royalists. Within there is a Royalist directory
25:44
Speaker 1: which sits secretly at Paris and corresponds with the Prussian army.
25:48
Speaker 1: To frustrate it, we must terrify the Royalists. The Assembly
25:52
Speaker 1: decreed death against all who directly or indirectly refused to
25:55
Speaker 1: execute or hindered the orders given by the executive power.
26:00
Speaker 1: Rumors of conspiracy agitated Paris and struck alarm into people's minds,
26:04
Speaker 1: while those who had friends within the prison walls became
26:07
Speaker 1: more and more alarmed for their safety. On the twenty
26:10
Speaker 1: eighth of August, orders were issued that all the inhabitants
26:12
Speaker 1: of Paris were to stay in their house in order
26:15
Speaker 1: that a visit might be made by the delegates of
26:17
Speaker 1: the Commune to search for arms, of which D'Anton had
26:19
Speaker 1: declared there were eighty thousand hidden in Paris, and to
26:23
Speaker 1: search for suspected persons. As soon as the order was issued,
26:26
Speaker 1: Harry and Victor went to their lodgings, and, telling their
26:29
Speaker 1: landlords that they had obtained work at the other end
26:31
Speaker 1: of town, paid their rent and left the city, and
26:33
Speaker 1: for the next two days slept in the woods. They
26:35
Speaker 1: passed most of their time discussing projects for enabling their
26:38
Speaker 1: friends to escape. For from the stringency of the steps
26:41
Speaker 1: taken and the violence of the Commune, they could no
26:44
Speaker 1: longer indulge in the hopes that in a short time
26:46
Speaker 1: the prisoners against whom no serious charge could be brought,
26:49
Speaker 1: would be released. At the same time, they could hardly
26:52
Speaker 1: persuade themselves that even such men as those who now
26:54
Speaker 1: held the supreme power in their hands could intend to
26:57
Speaker 1: take extreme measures against so vast a number of prisoners
27:00
Speaker 1: as were now in custody. Victor and Harry knew that
27:03
Speaker 1: their friends had at first been taken to the prison
27:05
Speaker 1: of Bisetre, but whether they were still confined there. They were,
27:09
Speaker 1: of course ignorant. Still, there was no reason to suppose
27:12
Speaker 1: that they had been transferred to any of the other jails.
27:15
Speaker 1: The besetro was they had discovered so strongly guarded that
27:19
Speaker 1: neither force nor stratagem seemed available. The jailers were the
27:22
Speaker 1: creatures of Santol and Rospierre, and any attempt to bribe
27:25
Speaker 1: them would have been dangerous in the extreme. Victor proposed
27:29
Speaker 1: that as he as well as Harry, was well provided
27:32
Speaker 1: with funds, for he had brought to Paris all the
27:34
Speaker 1: money which the steward of the Estates had collected, they
27:36
Speaker 1: should recruit a band among the ruffians of the city
27:38
Speaker 1: and make a sudden attack upon the prison. But Harry
27:41
Speaker 1: pointed out that a numerous band would be required for
27:44
Speaker 1: such an enterprise, and that among so many men, one
27:47
Speaker 1: would be sure to turn trader before the time came.
27:50
Speaker 1: I am ready to run all risks, Victor, but I
27:53
Speaker 1: see no chance of success in it. The very first
27:56
Speaker 1: man we spoke to might denounce us, and if we
27:58
Speaker 1: were seized, there would be no one to look after
28:00
Speaker 1: the safety of Mademoiselle de Saint con her sisters. My
28:03
Speaker 1: first duty is towards them. I gave my promise to
28:06
Speaker 1: their father, and although it is not probable that I
28:09
Speaker 1: can be of any use to them, I will, at
28:11
Speaker 1: any rate, if possible, be at hand, should occasion rise.
28:15
Speaker 1: On the evening of the thirtieth, they returned to Paris
28:17
Speaker 1: and took two fresh apartments at a distance from their
28:19
Speaker 1: former quarters. They were greatly anxious as to the safety
28:22
Speaker 1: of the girls, and Harry at once hastened there, but
28:25
Speaker 1: found that all was well. The deputies, learning from the
28:27
Speaker 1: landlord that only an old woman and her nieces inhabited
28:30
Speaker 1: the upper story, and having a heavy task before them,
28:33
Speaker 1: had only paid a short visit to the room, and
28:35
Speaker 1: had left after asking Louise one or two questions. The girls, however,
28:39
Speaker 1: were in a state of terrible anxiety as to their parents.
28:42
Speaker 1: Although Louise had avoided repeating to them the sinister rumors
28:46
Speaker 1: which came to her ears when she was abroad doing
28:48
Speaker 1: her marketing, for she now went out alone, thinking it
28:51
Speaker 1: better that the girls should appear as little as possible
28:53
Speaker 1: in the streets. It is terrible, Marie, said, I think
28:58
Speaker 1: night and day of our father and mother. Can nothing
29:00
Speaker 1: be done. Surely we might devise some means for their escape.
29:04
Speaker 1: I can think of nothing, Harry said. The prison is
29:07
Speaker 1: too strong to be taken without a considerable force, and
29:10
Speaker 1: it would be impossible to get that together. Could we
29:13
Speaker 1: not bribe these wretches? I've thought over that too, Harry replied,
29:18
Speaker 1: But you see, it would be necessary to get several
29:20
Speaker 1: men to work together. One might perhaps bribe the man
29:23
Speaker 1: who has charge of the cell, but there would be
29:25
Speaker 1: other warders and the guard at the gate, and the
29:27
Speaker 1: latter are changed every day. I do not see how
29:30
Speaker 1: that could possibly be done. Would it be any use?
29:33
Speaker 1: Do you think were I to go to Dantona ropees
29:35
Speaker 1: Pierre and plead with them for their lives? I would
29:37
Speaker 1: do that willingly if you think there would be the
29:39
Speaker 1: slightest chance of success. It would be like a lamb
29:43
Speaker 1: going to plead with a wolf. He would only attract
29:45
Speaker 1: attention to them. Could you not get hold of one
29:48
Speaker 1: of these wretches and force him to sign in order
29:50
Speaker 1: for their release, John suggested eh Harry exclaimed in surprise, Jean,
29:56
Speaker 1: you are the best head of us. All that idea
29:58
Speaker 1: never occur to me. Yes, that might be possible. How
30:01
Speaker 1: stupid of me not to think of it. Do not
30:04
Speaker 1: run into any danger, Harry, Marie said earnestly, such a
30:08
Speaker 1: scheme could hardly succeed. I don't know, mademoiselle. I think
30:12
Speaker 1: it might. I will think it over. Of course there
30:14
Speaker 1: are difficulties, but I do not see why it should
30:16
Speaker 1: not succeed. Certainly, it will succeed if Harry undertakes it,
30:20
Speaker 1: Jean said, with implicit trust in his powers. Harry laughed,
30:24
Speaker 1: and even Marie, anxious as she was, could not help smiling.
30:28
Speaker 1: I will try and deserve your confidence, Jean. But I
30:31
Speaker 1: am not a magician. But I will talk it over
30:33
Speaker 1: with And he hesitated with a young fellow who is,
30:37
Speaker 1: like myself, a royalist and in disguise. Luckily, we ran
30:40
Speaker 1: against each other the other day, and after a little
30:42
Speaker 1: conversation discovered each other. He too has relatives in prison.
30:45
Speaker 1: And will, I am sure join me in any scheme
30:48
Speaker 1: I may undertake. Two heads are better than one, and
30:51
Speaker 1: four are much better than two when it comes to acting.
30:54
Speaker 1: And now I must say good night. I hope when
30:57
Speaker 1: I see you again, I shall be able to tell
30:58
Speaker 1: you that I have formed some sort of plan for
31:00
Speaker 1: their release. End of chapter six. Recording by gen ra
31:05
Speaker 1: Mundo