. For these reasons, we are about
to make an examination in the premises and in relation to the persons
here--until that is completed, none can leave this room."

The clock struck twelve. The sound made the Count grow pale, for it was
the hour of the rendezvous. His situation was annoying, and a moment's
delay might bring about a catastrophe. The note had said: "If you are
not at my house by midnight, I shall be dead before one." The Count made
up his mind, and with his habitual decision in all critical,
embarrassing, or dangerous conjunctures, said that he must at all risks
get out of the house and go whither he was expected, to save life--which
every moment endangered. In such a state of affairs, _ruse_ was the best
course he could adopt--especially as that promised his immediate
extrication. He was about to adopt a difficult course; he purposed to
put out the lights, rush on the magistrate and his attendants, and then
break through the doors. Before adopting this extreme course, the Count
wished to know if he had many Carbonari around him. Glancing around the
guests of Madame Bruneval, he placed his hand on his brow and made
slowly the secret sign by means of which the Carbonari recognized each
other. The Commissary had not removed his eyes from the Count, who he
was well aware, though he did not know his name, was one of the
principal persons of the assemblage. No sooner had Monte-Leone made the
sign than, much to his surprise, he saw the Commissary acknowledge it.
The Count then discovered that the magistrate was a Carbonari, and that
there was one more brother than could have been expected in the room.
This strange circumstance had its explanation in the statement of
D'Harcourt at Doctor Matheus's: "We meet our brethren every where; in
the city, in the courts, among the lawyers, and among the judges." The
inquiry was brief and a mere matter of form. The Commissary did nothing.
Monte-Leone was one of the first who received permission to leave.
Followed by Taddeo, he rushed out. Rovero called on him to stop, but the
Count paid no attention to his cries. The clock was about to strike one,
and hurrying across the streets and squares of Louis XV., with the
rapidity of an arrow, he did not pause until he had reached the _Champs
Elysees_, where a little green door veiled by a hedge was opened to
admit him.

XIII.--DESPAIR.

When the door opened, a woman appeared and said, "Follow me, Count,
Madame is waiting for you