by night and draw their curtains with the day; at such
times the most marked difference is that life goes with a faster
foot, so that my intimacy with my charming rescuer grew at a pace
altogether disproportionate to the hours.

On the evening of the 24th of July, when capitulation was unavoidable,
when our fire was so weak that it was more like funeral guns than
a defence, and our one anxiety was to obtain honourable terms,
Madame Prevost came to me in a sad state of distraction.

"Chevalier," she said, "it is hopeless! No matter what the commandant
may resolve, we are betrayed. Prevost will force them to accept
any terms, no matter how great the humiliation. It is nothing to
him so long as he escapes; but it is death to me. I have been
despised all these years on account of my connection with him; I
have suffered tortures of shame daily through the siege, and now
all will be crowned with this height of infamy. I cannot bear it!
I cannot look upon it!" And the poor distracted creature fell to
sobbing and weeping as if her very heart would break.

When she had recovered somewhat she revealed her design, which was
that, should Prevost succeed in forcing the commandant to the
disgraceful surrender we all feared, she and I would escape together.

I was much moved by her generous offer, for generous it was beyond
a doubt. I have known too much of women not to recognise when full
credit should be given to their virtues, and if Madame Prevost had
a second thought beyond escaping from the disgrace of the
capitulation, then I know nothing of the sex.

"My dearest madame," I answered, warmly, "'tis quite out of the
question."

"Why? I have seen old Gourdeau, the pilot; his two sons have a boat
at my service. They know every hole and corner of the harbour, and
will do anything for me."

"The boat is not the question, my dear madame; it is yourself I am
thinking of."

"Well, I am ready. I will have everything in readiness, if the
capitulation be not signed by nightfall, it will be by the morning,
and the moment it is determined on, you are free. We can easily
pass out by the wicket near the Brouillon Bastion, and the Gourdeau
will be at their post. I have thought of everything."

"Pardon me, madame; you have thought of everything save yourself.
Have you thought of what the world will say to your flight with
me? It will only credit you with motives of which I know you have
never dreamed."

"Oh, mon Dieu, monsieur I th