be in waiting there with horses, and we will be
free of the gates before even they know we are gone. We have more than
four hours yet before it grows dark. Think of it! Four hours to
prepare! We will beat them."

I spoke cheerily, though I well knew that all was hanging by a hair.
My words had their effect, and I saw the light of hope in her eyes; but
all at once she shrank from me and, covering her face with her hands,
sank back upon the seat.

I confess that I knew not what to do, or which way to turn, for if
mademoiselle's courage failed now it was fatal.

"Come," I said, "be brave. In a few hours you will be safe." And I
placed my hand on her shoulder. At my touch she collected herself, and
rose once again, her face pale, her eyes wet.

"Monsieur," she said, "I cannot take your offer. It is impossible."

"But why?" And I looked at her in blank astonishment.

"Listen!" And she spoke in low but quick accents. "Were I to avail
myself of this chance I know I should be safe, for the bravest heart in
France would be protecting me. But, monsieur, I should be saving
myself and leaving the others--my people, those of my own faith--to
die. I am a woman, and a woman may be forgiven weakness in this--for
death, and such a death, is horrible--but could I forgive myself? I
who knew, and fled, and left my people to die! Do you know who all are
in Paris? There are scores of them. There is kind old De Mouy, there
is Rochambeau, there is D'Albain, there are fifty more. Are they to
die? Besides these there are the poorer brethren, rich in nothing but
their faith. Are they to die? Can I leave them, without a word of
warning, to the torture, to the rack, to the slow death of the
estrapade?"

She stopped, her eyes all alight, her breath coming fast; but I made no
answer, and stood before her in silence.

"You have nothing to say," she went on--"nothing! Orrain, were you in
my place what would you do?"

"I am a man."

"And is honour less dear to a woman than to a man?"

I knew she was brave, but never before had I realised how brave and
strong; and, yielding to an impulse I could not resist, I bent down and
touched her hand with my lips.

"Mademoiselle," I said, "you have taught me what is right. You cannot
go thus. Your friends must be warned."

"I knew you would say that," she burst in; "I knew that nothing else
would come from you. Yes; they must be warned! A word here and there
would be enoug