marie antoinette and her son-第91章

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house…steward；　who　motioned　him　to　come　into　the　cabinet。

〃I　have　something　to　tell　you；　citizen；〃　said　the　steward；　with　a
weighty　air；　〃but　first　I　must　beg　you　to　make　me　a　solemn　promise
that　you　will　continue　a　faithful　and　obedient　servant　of　the　count；
and　prove　in　no　way　false　to　your　oath　and　your　duty。〃

The　servant　pledged　himself　solemnly；　and　the　steward　continued：
〃The　count　has　undertaken　a　journey　which　is　not　to　be　spoken　of；
and　is　to　remain；　if　possible；　a　secret。　I　demand　of　you；　therefore；
that　if　any　one　asks　where　the　count　has　gone；　you　answer　that　you
do　not　know。　But　above　all　things；　you　are　not　to　say　that　the　count
is　not　travelling　alone；　but　in　company　with　the　young…gentleman；
whose　name　and　rank　I　know　just　as　little　about　as　you。　Will　you
promise　to　faithfully　heed　my　words？〃

The　servant　asserted　it　with　solemn　oaths　and　an　expression　of　deep
reverence。　The　steward　beckoned　to　him　to　go；　and　then　looked　at　him
for　a　long　time；　and　with　a　singular　expression　as　he　withdrew。

〃He　is　a　spy　of　the　Safety　Committee；〃　he　whispered　to　himself。　〃I
am　convinced　that　he　is　so；　and　he　will　certainly　go　at　once　and
report　to　the　authorities；　and　they　will　break　their　heads　thinking
what　the　count　has　to　do　in　Puy；　and　who　the　boy　is　who　accompanies
my　lord。　Well；　that　is　exactly　what　we　want：　to　put　the　bloodhounds
and　murderers　on　a　false　scent。　That　is　just　the　object　of　the
count；　and　for　that　purpose　M。　Morin　de　Gueriviere　has　lent　his　only
son；　for　all　that　we　have　and　are；　our　lives；　our　children；　and
every　thing　else；　belong　to　our　king　and　lord。　I　hope；　therefore；
that　the　count's　plan　will　succeed；　and　the　Safety　Committee　be　put
on　a　false　scent。〃

Meanwhile　the　pitiful　carriage　containing　Simon's　goods　had　slowly
taken　its　way　through　the　streets　and　halted　at　its　goal；　the
custom…house　near　Porte　Macon。　Before　the　building　stood　a　woman　in
the　neat　and　tasteful　costume　of　the　washerwomen　from　the　village　of
Vannes；　which　then；　as　now；　was　the　abode　of　the　washerwomen　of
Paris。

〃Well；〃　cried　the　woman；　with　a　loud　laugh；　helping　Mistress　Simon
dismount　from　the　wagon〃　well；　you　have　come　at　last。　For　two
hours　I　have　been　waiting　for　you；　for　you　ordered　me　to　be　here　at
eleven；　and　now　it　is　one。　What　will　my　husband　and　my　little　boy
say　about　my　coming　home　so　late？〃

〃I　beg　your　pardon；〃　said　Jeanne　Marie；　with　a　kindly　voice。　〃Our
ride　was　a　good　deal　slower　than　I　thought；　for　the　things　were
packed　only　loosely；　and　if　we　had　ridden　faster　they　would　easily
have　been　injured。　But；　I　will　not　detain　you　longer；　and　you　shall
have　my　wash　at　once。　There　are　a　great　many　clothes　this　time；　and
I　have　therefore　thrown　them　all　at　once　into　the　basket；　so　you　can
put　the　basket　right　upon　your　wagon　and　bring　the　things　back　in
it。　Halloa；　Simon；　and　you；　commissioner；　take　hold　and　lift　the
basket　down；　and　carry　it　out　to　the　washerwoman's　wagon　that　is
standing　near　the　gate。〃

The　two　men　immediately　lifted　the　great　basket　out；　and　carried　it
to　the　open　cart　which　stood　there；　in　which　lay　arranged　in　regular
order　great　bundles　of　dirty　linen。　Near　the　gate　stood　the　sub…
collector；　whose　superior　Simon　now　was；　and　it　therefore　did　not
occur　to　him　to　examine　the　basket　which　his　new　chief　was　putting
in　the　washerwoman's　wagon。　Some　busybodies　who　stood　around　turned
their　whole　attention　to　the　wagon　which　contained　the　furniture　and
goods　of　the　new　collector；　who　was；　of　course；　a　very　important
person　in　this　remote　quarter；　and　Jeanne　Marie　endeavored　with　her
loud　words　and　choleric　gesticulations　to　fasten　the　attention　of
the　idlers　upon　herself。　Nobody　regarded　the　two　men；　who　had　just
put　the　basket　into　the　washerwoman's　cart；　and　no　one　heard　the
words　that　they　softly　spoke　together。

The　washerwoman　had　raised　the　cover；　and　was　rolling　around　the
clothes；　as　if　she　wanted　to　examine　the　contents　of　the　basket。

〃Sire；〃　she　whispered；　softly；　as　she　did　so〃sire；　do　you　hear
me？〃

A　weak；　faint　voice　replied；　〃I　hear　you。〃

〃And　shall　you　be　able　to　bear　it；　if　you　stay　a　little　longer　in
your　hiding…place？〃

〃Oh　yes；　I　shall　be　able　to　bear　it；　but　I　am　anxious；　and　I　should
like　to　be　away　from　here。〃

The　washerwoman　closed　the　cover　of　the　basket；　and　sprang　down　from
the　wagon。　〃Every　thing　is　in　order；〃　she　said；　〃and　it　is　high　time
that　I　should　be　off。　I　have　a　long　way　to　go；　and　my　husband　and
child　are　expecting　me。〃

〃Then　go；　with　God's　blessing；〃　said　the　commissioner；　shaking　hands
with　the　washerwoman　as　if　she　were　an　old　acquaintance。〃　Go；　with
God's　blessing；　and　may　He　protect　you　from　all　calamity；　and　bless
you　with　happiness　and　joy！〃

He　spoke　loudly；　as　if　this　was　intended　for　the　ear　of　some　person
besides　the　washerwoman。　And　another　had　heard　the　words　of　Toulan；
and　a　soft　and　tremulous　voice　called：　〃Farewell；　Fidele；　I　thank
you；　dear　Toulan。〃

The　wagon　was　at　once　in　motion；　and　drove　quickly　down　the　street
through　the　rows　of　small　houses　in　the　suburbs。　The　two　men　stood
and　looked　after　it　till　the　washerwoman's　carriage　disappeared　in　a
cloud　of　dust。

Toulan　raised　his　eyes　slowly　to　heaven；　and　a　pious　expression
illumined　his　good；　energetic　countenance。

〃Thou　lookest　down　upon　me；　my　queen　and　mistress；〃　he　said；　softly
and　inaudibly。〃　I　feel　the　glance　of　thy　heavenly　eyes；　and　it　rests
like　a　hallowed　blessing　upon　my　thankful　heart。　I　know；　my　queen；
that　thou　art　satisfied　with　me　this　hour；　and　it　seems　to　me　as　if
thy　loved　voice　were　whispering　above　me　in　the　air　the　word　Fidele。
Give　me　now　thy　blessing；　that　I　may　end　my　work；　and　rescue　the
daughter　and　the　sister　as　I　have　rescued　the　son。　My　life　is
devoted　to　thy　service；　and　I　shall　save　all　thy　dear　ones　or　die！〃

〃Well；　Toulan；〃　said　Simon；　softly；　〃I　have　kept　my　word；　and　little
Capet　is　released。　Are　you　going　to　keep　yours？〃

〃Certainly　I　shall；〃　said　Toulan；　whose　glance　slowly　fell　from
heaven；　and　whose　face　still　glowed　like　one　in　a　trance。　〃Yes；
Simon；　I　shall　keep　my　word　to　you　as　you　have　yours　to　me。　Come
into　your　house；　that　I　may　pay　you。〃

He　withdrew　quickly　from　the　gate　and　entered　the　house　which
thereafter　was　to　be　the　house　of　the　collector　Simon。　All　was　going
on　busily　there；　for　Jeanne　Marie　had　impressed　into　her　service　not
only　the　sub…collector　but　some　of　the　curious　spectators；　and　she
scolded　her　husband；　who　was　just　coming　in　with　Toulan；　for　talking
too　long　with　the　washerwoman　instead　of　helping　her。

〃Do　you　two　take　the　heavy　mattresses　and　carry　them　into　the　next
room。〃

The　two　men　quickly　obeyed；　and　bore　the　mattresses　into　the
chamber。　Then　they　locked　themselves　in。

Toulan　took　several　rolls　from　the　great　waistcoat　which　he　wore
under　his　blue　blouse；　broke　them　asunder；　and　let　the　gold…pieces
fall　out　upon　the　mattress。

〃Count　them；　Simon；〃　he　said；　〃to　see　that　there　are　exactly　two
hundred　and　fifty　double　gold…pieces；　all　bearing　the　exalted
symbols　of　'he　one；　great；　and　indivisible　republic。'　May　they　bring
you　joy；　and　be　a　reward　for　the　great　good　fortune　which　you　have
brought　to　me；　and　to　all　who　love　the　king　and　his　house。〃

〃But　will　no　one　reveal　me？〃　asked　Simon；　anxiously；　while　busily
engaged　in　collecting　the　gold…pieces；　and　hiding　them　between　the
mattresses。　〃Say；　Toulan；　will　no　one　divulge　and　report　me　to　the
authorities？〃

〃Be　quiet；　Simon；　and　fear　nothing。　To　betray　you；　would　be　at　the
same　time　to　betray　the　great　cause　which　we　serve；　and　to　surrender
the　young　king　to　the　persecution　of　his　enemies。　But　no　one　knows；
excepting　me；　that　of　your　own　free　will　you　have　helped　save　the
king。　With　express　reference　to　your　safety；　I　have　made　all　the
other　allies　believe　that　I　have　deceived　you；　and　that　you　know
nothing　of　the　concealment　of　the　child。　So　be　entirely　without
concern。　Only　Toulan　knows　your　secret；　and　Toulan　is　silent　as　the
grave。　But　let　us　go　out　now　and　help　your　wife　bring　the　things
into　the　house；　and　afterward　you　can　let　me　go　without　any　further
leave…taking。　Farewell；　citizen；　may　you　be　entirely　successful　in
your　new　field　of　labor。〃

He　nodded　with　a　friendly　air　to　Simon；　and　as　Jeanne　Marie　just
then　called　the　commissioner　with　a　loud　voice；　Toulan　hastily
opened　the　door　and　hurried　to　her。

Simon　followed　him　with　a　long；　dark　look。　Then　he　slowly　shook　his
head；　and　his　eye　kindled。

〃It　must　be；〃　he　said　to　himself；　softly。　〃I　should　otherwise　have
no　rest　day　or　night；　and　it　would　be　worse　than　in　the　Temple。　He
said　so　himself：　only　Toulan　knows　my　secret。　So　if　Toulan　dies；　my
secret　dies　with　Toulan；　and　is　buried　with　him；　and　I　cart　then
enjoy　my　life；　and　shall　not　need　to　live　in　anxiety；　and　in
perpetual　fear　of　being　betrayed。　But；〃　he　continued；　after　a　brief
pause；　〃what　is　done；　must　be　done　quickly；　otherwise　I　may　fall
into　the　very　pit　I　have　digged　for　Toulan！　If　the　little　Capet　is
fairly　carried　to　a　place　of　safety；　and　escapes　out　of　the
republic；　Toulan　can　avenge　himself　by　reporting　the　whole　story　and
bringing　me　to　misfortune。　I　must；　therefore；　while　I　am　secure；
take　away　from　the　fellow　the　means　of　betraying　me。　Yes；　yes；　it
must　be　so；　Toulan　must　die；　that　Simon　may　live。　Look　out　for　your
own　self　first；　and　then　your　neighbors。〃

With　a　decided　step；　Simon　left　the　room；　and　entered　the　chamber；
where　Toulan　was　busy　with　Jeanne　Marie　in　arranging　the　furniture。

〃I　am　glad　to　find　you　here　still；〃　said　Simon；　nodding　to　him；　〃for
I　had　entirely　forgotten　to　tell　you　that　I　have　a　present　for　you；
which　will　certainly　please　you；　and　which　I　have　saved　and　laid
away　expressly　for　you。〃

〃What　is　it；　Simon？　What　kind　of　a　present　have　you　for　me？〃

〃A　very　precious　one；　at　least　such　as　you　and　your　like　will
consider　so；　I　think。　I　have　the　long；　yellow　locks　which　Jeanne
Marie　cut　yesterday　from　little　Capet's　head。〃

〃And　will　you　give　them　to　me？〃　asked　Toulan；　eagerly。

〃Yes；　that　will　I；　and　it　is　for　that　purpose　that　I　have　brought
them　along。　They　are　lying；　with　all　the　letters；　in　my　work…box。
But　I　cannot　get　at　them　to…day　in　all　the　confusion；　for　they　are
at　the　very　bottom　of　the　box。　But　come　to…morrow　morning；　and　you
shall　receive　your　costly　treasure。　If　you　like；　you　can　come　about
nine　o'clock；　and　if　I　should　happen　to　have　any　thing　to　do；　and
not　be　here；　I　will　give　the　hair　to　Jeanne　Marie；　and　she　will　hand
it　to　you。〃

〃Be　sure　that　I　shall　come；〃　said　Toulan；　earnestly。　〃Give　me　your
hand；　and　let　me　thank　you　for　your　delicate　act　of　kindness。　I
certainly　did　you　a　wrong；　for　I　did　not　hold　you　capable　of　such　a
deed。　I　thank　you；　Simon；　I　thank　you　from　my　heart；　and　to…morrow
morning；　punctually　at　nine；　I　shall　be　here　to　receive　my　precious
possession。　Farewell　till　then；　Simon！　I　have　no　quiet　now；　but　must
run　around　and　see　whether　every　thing　seems　as　usual　in　the　Temple；
and　our　secret　undiscovered。〃　He　hastened　away；　and　disappeared
around　the　corner。

The　whole　day　Simon　was　busy　with　his　own　thoughts；　and　engaged　in
arranging　the　furniture；　with　his　mind　clearly