k as if a viper had stung her; for the moment she had become
oblivious of Chauvelin's presence. However, she would not take notices
of his taunt, and, after a slight pause, he asked her if she could hear
the town crier over in the public streets.

"Yes," she replied.

"What he says at this present moment is of vast importance to your
ladyship," he remarked drily.

"How so?"

"Your ladyship is a precious hostage. We are taking measures to guard
our valuable property securely."

Marguerite thought of the Abbe Foucquet, who no doubt was still quietly
telling his beads, even if in his heart he had begun to wonder what had
become of her. She thought of Francois, who was the breadwinner, and of
Felicite, who was blind.

"Methinks you and your colleagues have done that already," she said.

"Not as completely as we would wish. We know the daring of the Scarlet
Pimpernel. We are not even ashamed to admit that we fear his luck, his
impudence and his marvellous ingenuity.... Have I not told you that I
have the greatest possible respect for that mysterious English hero....
An old priest and two young children might be spirited away by that
enigmatical adventurer, even whilst Lady Blakeney herself is made to
vanish from our sight."

"Ah! I see your ladyship is taking my simple words as a confession
of weakness," he continued, noting the swift sigh of hope which had
involuntarily escaped her lips. "Nay! and it please you, you shall
despise me for it. But a confession of weakness is the first sign of
strength. The Scarlet Pimpernel is still at large, and whilst we guard
our hostage securely, he is bound to fall into our hands."

"Aye! still at large!" she retorted with impulsive defiance. "Think
you that all your bolts and bars, the ingenuity of yourself and your
colleagues, the collaboration of the devil himself, would succeed in
outwitting the Scarlet Pimpernel, now that his purpose will be to try
and drag ME from out your clutches."

She felt hopeful and proud. Now that she had the pure air of heaven in
her lungs, that from afar she could smell the sea, and could feel
that perhaps in a straight line of vision from where she stood, the
"Day-Dream" with Sir Percy on board, might be lying out there in the
roads, it seemed impossible that he should fail in freeing her and those
poor people--an old man and two children--whose lives depended on her
own.

But Chauvelin only laughed a dry, sarcastic laugh and said:

"Hm! pe