produced. She sheltered me one day just for an hour. I am a traitor to
the Republic--I own it. I'll make full confession; but she knew nothing
of this. I deceived her; she is quite innocent, you understand? I'll
make full confession, but you must set her free."

He had gradually worked himself up again to a state of feverish
excitement. Through the darkness which hung about in this small room he
tried to peer in Chauvelin's impassive face.

"Easy, easy, my young friend," said the other placidly; "you seem to
imagine that I have something to do with the arrest of the lady in whom
you take so deep an interest. You forget that now I am but a discredited
servant of the Republic whom I failed to serve in her need. My life is
only granted me out of pity for my efforts, which were genuine if not
successful. I have no power to set any one free."

"Nor to arrest me now, in that case!" retorted Armand.

Chauvelin paused a moment before he replied with a deprecating smile:

"Only to denounce you, perhaps. I am still an agent of the Committee of
General Security."

"Then all is for the best!" exclaimed St. Just eagerly. "You shall
denounce me to the Committee. They will be glad of my arrest, I assure
you. I have been a marked man for some time. I had intended to evade
arrest and to work for the rescue of Mademoiselle Lange; but I will
give tip all thought of that--I will deliver myself into your hands
absolutely; nay, more, I will give you my most solemn word of honour
that not only will I make no attempt at escape, but that I will not
allow any one to help me to do so. I will be a passive and willing
prisoner if you, on the other hand, will effect Mademoiselle Lange's
release."

"H'm!" mused Chauvelin again, "it sounds feasible."

"It does! it does!" rejoined Armand, whose excitement was at
fever-pitch. "My arrest, my condemnation, my death, will be of vast deal
more importance to you than that of a young and innocent girl against
whom unlikely charges would have to be tricked up, and whose acquittal
mayhap public feeling might demand. As for me, I shall be an easy prey;
my known counter-revolutionary principles, my sister's marriage with a
foreigner--"

"Your connection with the Scarlet Pimpernel," suggested Chauvelin
blandly.

"Quite so. I should not defend myself--"

"And your enigmatical friend would not attempt your rescue. C'est
entendu," said Chauvelin with his wonted blandness. "Then, my dear,
enthusiastic yo