t he had nothing to fear from anyone
present, he added, in lower tones:

"This Chanlouineau told me that the cure would understand his reasons."

Had the brave peasant really found some means of salvation? The abbe
almost began to believe it.

"You must go with this worthy man, Marie-Anne," said he.

The poor girl shuddered at the thought of seeing Chanlouineau again, but
the idea of refusing never once occurred to her.

"Let us go," she said, quietly.

But the corporal did not stir from his place, and winking, according to
his habit when he desired to attract the attention of his hearers:

"In one moment," he said. "This Chanlouineau, who seems to be a shrewd
fellow, told me to tell you that all was going well. May I be hung if I
can see how! Still such is his opinion. He also told me to tell you not
to stir from this place, and not to attempt anything until mademoiselle
returns, which will be in less than an hour. He swears to you that he
will keep his promise; he only asks you to pledge your word that you
will obey him----"

"We will take no action until an hour has passed," said the abbe. "I
promise that----"

"That is all. Salute company. And now, Mademoiselle, on the
double-quick, march! The poor devil over there must be on coals of
fire."

That a condemned prisoner should be allowed to receive a visit from
the daughter of the leader of the rebellion--of that Lacheneur who had
succeeded in making his escape--was indeed surprising.

But Chanlouineau had been ingenious enough to discover a means of
procuring this special permission.

With this aim in view, when sentence of death was passed upon him, he
pretended to be overcome with terror, and to weep piteously.

The soldiers could scarcely believe their eyes when they saw this robust
young fellow, who had been so insolent and defiant a few hours before,
so overcome that they were obliged to carry him to his cell.

There, his lamentations were redoubled; and he begged the guard to go
to the Duc de Sairmeuse, or the Marquis de Courtornieu, and tell them he
had revelations of the greatest importance to make.

That potent word "revelations" made M. de Courtornieu hasten to the
prisoner's cell.

He found Chanlouineau on his knees, his features distorted by what was
apparently an agony of fear. The man dragged himself toward him, took
his hands and kissed them, imploring mercy and forgiveness, swearing
that to preserve his life he was ready to do anyt