el dorado-第33章

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disabling　his　right　hand；　and　soon　the　left　arm　with　a　dislocated
shoulder　hung　limp　by　his　side。　　Then　he　was　bound　with　cords。

The　vein　of　luck　had　given　out。　　The　gambler　had　staked　more　than
usual　and　had　lost；　but　he　knew　how　to　lose；　just　as　he　had　always
known　how　to　win。

〃Those　dd　brutes　are　trussing　me　like　a　fowl；〃　he　murmured　with
irrepressible　gaiety　at　the　last。

Then　the　wrench　on　his　bruised　arms　as　they　were　pulled　roughly
back　by　the　cords　caused　the　veil　of　unconsciousness　to　gather
over　his　eyes。

〃And　Jeanne　was　safe；　Armand；〃　he　shouted　with　a　last　desperate
effort；　〃those　devils　have　lied　to　you　and　tricked　you　into　this
。。。　Since　yesterday　she　is　out　of　prison　。。。　in　the　house　。。。　you
know　。。。。〃

After　that　he　lost　consciousness。



And　this　occurred　on　Tuesday；　January　21st；　in　the　year　1794；　or；
in　accordance　with　the　new　calendar；　on　the　2nd　Pluviose；　year　II
of　the　Republic。

It　is　chronicled　in　the　Moniteur　of　the　3rd　Pluviose　that；　〃on
the　previous　evening；　at　half…past　ten　of　the　clock；　the
Englishman　known　as　the　Scarlet　Pimpernel；　who　for　three　years　has
conspired　against　the　safety　of　the　Republic；　was　arrested　through
the　patriotic　exertions　of　citizen　Chauvelin；　and　conveyed　to　the
Conciergerie；　where　he　now　liessick；　but　closely　guarded。　Long
live　the　Republic！〃



PART　II
CHAPTER　XXIV
THE　NEWS

The　grey　January　day　was　falling；　drowsy；　and　dull　into　the　arms
of　night。

Marguerite；　sitting　in　the　dusk　beside　the　fire　in　her　small
boudoir；　shivered　a　little　as　she　drew　her　scarf　closer　round　her
shoulders。

Edwards；　the　butler；　entered　with　the　lamp。　　The　room　looked
peculiarly　cheery　now；　with　the　delicate　white　panelling　of　the
wall　glowing　tinder　the　soft　kiss　of　the　flickering　firelight　and
the　steadier　glow　of　the　rose…shaded　lamp。

〃Has　the　courier　not　arrived　yet；　Edwards？〃　asked　Marguerite；
fixing　the　impassive　face　of　the　well…drilled　servant　with　her
large　purple…rimmed　eyes。

〃Not　yet；　m'lady；〃　he　replied　placidly。

〃It　is　his　day；　is　it　not？〃

〃Yes；　m'lady。　　And　the　forenoon　is　his　time。　　But　there　have　been
heavy　rains；　and　the　roads　must　be　rare　muddy。　He　must　have　been
delayed；　m'lady。〃

〃Yes；　I　suppose　so；〃　she　said　listlessly。　　〃That　will　do；　Edwards。
No；　don't　close　the　shutters。　　I'll　ring　presently。〃

The　man　went　out　of　the　room　as　automatically　as　he　had　come。　　He
closed　the　door　behind　him；　and　Marguerite　was　once　more　alone。

She　picked　up　the　book　which　she　had　fingered　idly　before　the
light　gave　out。　　She　tried　once　more　to　fix　her　attention　on　this
tale　of　love　and　adventure　written　by　Mr。　Fielding；　but　she　had
lost　the　thread　of　the　story；　and　there　was　a　mist　between　her
eyes　and　the　printed　pages。

With　an　impatient　gesture　she　threw　down　the　book　and　passed　her
hand　across　her　eyes；　then　seemed　astonished　to　find　that　her　hand
was　wet。

She　rose　and　went　to　the　window。　　The　air　outside　had　been
singularly　mild　all　day；　the　thaw　was　persisting；　and　a　south　wind
came　across　the　Channelfrom　France。

Marguerite　threw　open　the　casement　and　sat　down　on　the　wide　sill；
leaning　her　head　against　the　window…frame；　and　gazing　out　into　the
fast　gathering　gloom。　　From　far　away；　at　the　foot　of　the　gently
sloping　lawns；　the　river　murmured　softly　in　the　night；　in　the
borders　to　the　right　and　left　a　few　snowdrops　still　showed　like
tiny　white　specks　through　the　surrounding　darkness。　　Winter　had
begun　the　process　of　slowly　shedding　its　mantle；　coquetting　with
Spring；　who　still　lingered　in　the　land　of　Infinity。　　Gradually　the
shadows　drew　closer　and　closer；　the　reeds　and　rushes　on　the　river
bank　were　the　first　to　sink　into　their　embrace；　then　the　big
cedars　on　the　lawn；　majestic　and　defiant；　but　yielding　still
unconquered　to　the　power　of　night。

The　tiny　stars　of　snowdrop　blossoms　vanished　one　by　one；　and　at
last　the　cool；　grey　ribbon　of　the　river　surface　was　wrapped　under
the　mantle　of　evening。

Only　the　south　wind　lingered　on；　soughing　gently　in　the　drowsy
reeds；　whispering　among　the　branches　of　the　cedars；　and　gently
stirring　the　tender　corollas　of　the　sleeping　snowdrops。

Marguerite　seemed　to　open　out　her　lungs　to　its　breath。　It　had　come
all　the　way　from　France；　and　on　its　wings　had　brought　something　of
Percya　murmur　as　if　he　had　spokena　memory　that　was　as
intangible　as　a　dream。

She　shivered　again；　though　of　a　truth　it　was　not　cold。　The
courier's　delay　had　completely　unsettled　her　nerves。　Twice　a　week
he　came　especially　from　Dover；　and　always　he　brought　some　message；
some　token　which　Percy　had　contrived　to　send　from　Paris。　　They
were　like　tiny　scraps　of　dry　bread　thrown　to　a　starving　woman；　but
they　did　just　help　to　keep　her　heart　alivethat　poor；　aching；
disappointed　heart　that　so　longed　for　enduring　happiness　which　it
could　never　get。

The　man　whom　she　loved　with　all　her　soul；　her　mind　and　her　body；
did　not　belong　to　her；　he　belonged　to　suffering　humanity　over
there　in　terror…stricken　France；　where　the　cries　of　the　innocent；
the　persecuted；　the　wretched　called　louder　to　him　than　she　in　her
love　could　do。

He　had　been　away　three　months　now；　during　which　time　her　starving
heart　had　fed　on　its　memories；　and　the　happiness　of　a　brief　visit
from　him　six　weeks　ago；　whenquite　unexpectedlyhe　had　appeared
before　her　。。。　home　between　two　desperate　adventures　that　had
given　life　and　freedom　to　a　number　of　innocent　people；　and　nearly
cost　him　hisand　she　had　lain　in　his　arms　in　a　swoon　of　perfect
happiness。

But　be　had　gone　away　again　as　suddenly　as　he　had　come；　and　for　six
weeks　now　she　had　lived　partly　in　anticipation　of　the　courier　with
messages　from　him；　and　partly　on　the　fitful　joy　engendered　by
these　messages。　　To…day　she　had　not　even　that；　and　the　disappointment
seemed　just　now　more　than　she　could　bear。

She　felt　unaccountably　restless；　and　could　she　but　have　analysed
her　feelingshad　she　dared　so　to　doshe　would　have　realised　that
the　weight　which　oppressed　her　heart　so　that　she　could　hardly
breathe；　was　one　of　vague　yet　dark　foreboding。

She　closed　the　window　and　returned　to　her　seat　by　the　fire；　taking
up　her　hook　with　the　strong　resolution　not　to　allow　her　nerves　to
get　the　better　of　her。　　But　it　was　difficult　to　pin　one's
attention　down　to　the　adventures　of　Master　Tom　Jones　when　one's
mind　was　fully　engrossed　with　those　of　Sir　Percy　Blakeney。

The　sound　of　carriage　wheels　on　the　gravelled　forecourt　in　the
front　of　the　house　suddenly　awakened　her　drowsy　senses。　　She　threw
down　the　book；　and　with　trembling　hands　clutched　the　arms　of　her
chair；　straining　her　ears　to　listen。　　A　carriage　at　this　hourand
on　this　damp　winter's　evening！　　She　racked　her　mind　wondering　who
it　could　be。

Lady　Ffoulkes　was　in　London；　she　knew。　　Sir　Andrew；　of　course；　was
in　Paris。　　His　Royal　Highness；　ever　a　faithful　visitor；　would
surely　not　venture　out　to　Richmond　in　this　inclement　weatherand
the　courier　always　came　on　horseback。

There　was　a　murmur　of　voices；　that　of　Edwards；　mechanical　and
placid；　could　be　heard　quite　distinctly　saying：

〃I'm　sure　that　her　ladyship　will　be　at　home　for　you；　m'lady。　　But
I'll　go　and　ascertain。〃

Marguerite　ran　to　the　door　and　with　joyful　eagerness　tore　it　open。

〃Suzanne！〃　she　called　〃my　little　Suzanne！　　I　thought　you　were　in
London。　　Come　up　quickly！　　In　the　boudoiryes。　　Oh！　what　good
fortune　hath　brought　you？〃

Suzanne　flew　into　her　arms；　holding　the　friend　whom　she　loved　so
well　close　and　closer　to　her　heart；　trying　to　hide　her　face；　which
was　wet　with　tears；　in　the　folds　of　Marguerite's　kerchief。

〃Come　inside；　my　darling；〃　said　Marguerite。　〃Why；　how　cold　your
little　hands　are！〃

She　was　on　the　point　of　turning　back　to　her　boudoir；　drawing　Lady
Ffoulkes　by　the　hand；　when　suddenly　she　caught　sight　of　Sir　Andrew；
who　stood　at　a　little　distance　from　her；　at　the　top　of　the　stairs。

〃Sir　Andrew！〃　she　exclaimed　with　unstinted　gladness。

Then　she　paused。　　The　cry　of　welcome　died　on　her　lips；　leaving
them　dry　and　parted。　　She　suddenly　felt　as　if　some　fearful　talons
had　gripped　her　heart　and　were　tearing　at　it　with　sharp；　long
nails；　the　blood　flew　from　her　cheeks　and　from　her　limbs；　leaving
her　with　a　sense　of　icy　numbness。

She　backed　into　the　room；　still　holding　Suzanne's　hand；　and
drawing　her　in　with　her。　　Sir　Andrew　followed　them；　then　closed
the　door　behind　him。　　At　last　the　word　escaped　Marguerite's
parched　lips：

〃Percy！　　Something　has　happened　to　him！　　He　is　dead？〃

〃No；　no！〃　exclaimed　Sir　Andrew　quickly。

Suzanne　put　her　loving　arms　round　her　friend　and　drew　her　down
into　the　chair　by　the　fire。　　She　knelt　at　her　feet　on　the
hearthrug；　and　pressed　her　own　burning　lips　on　Marguerite's
icy…cold　hands。　　Sir　Andrew　stood　silently　by；　a　world　of　loving
friendship；　of　heart…broken　sorrow；　in　his　eyes。

There　was　silence　in　the　pretty　white…panelled　room　for　a　while。
Marguerite　sat　with　her　eyes　closed；　bringing　the　whole　armoury　of
her　will　power　to　bear　her　up　outwardly　now。

〃Tell　me！〃　she　said　at　last；　and　her　voice　was　toneless　and　dull；
like　one　that　came　from　the　depths　of　a　grave〃tell　meexactly
everything。　　Don't　be　afraid。　　I　can　bear　it。　　Don't　be　afraid。〃

Sir　Andrew　remained　standing；　with　bowed　head　and　one　hand　resting
on　the　table。　　In　a　firm；　clear　voice　he　told　her　the　events　of
the　past　few　days　as　they　were　known　to　him。　　All　that　he　tried　to
hide　was　Armand's　disobedience；　which；　in　his　heart；　he　felt　was
the　primary　cause　of　the　catastrophe。　　He　told　of　the　rescue　of
the　Dauphin　from　the　Temple；　the　midnight　drive　in　the　coal…cart；
the　meeting　with　Hastings　and　Tony　in　the　spinney。　　He　only　gave
vague　explanations　of　Armand's　stay　in　Paris　which　caused　Percy　to
go　back　to　the　city；　even　at　the　moment　when　his　most　daring　plan
had　been　so　successfully　carried　through。

〃Armand；　I　understand；　has　fallen　in　love　with　a　beautiful　woman
in　Paris；　Lady　Blakeney；〃　he　said；　seeing　that　a　strange；　puzzled
look　had　appeared　in　Marguerite's　pale　face。　　〃She　was　arrested
the　day　before　the　rescue　of　the　Dauphin　from　the　Temple。　　Armand
could　not　join　us。　He　felt　that　he　could　not　leave　her。　　I　am　sure
that　you　will　understand。〃

Then　as　she　made　no　comment；　he　resumed　his　narrative：

〃I　had　been　ordered　to　go　back　to　La　Villette；　and　there　to　resume
my　duties　as　a　labourer　in　the　day…time；　and　to　wait　for　Percy
during　the　night。　　The　fact　that　I　had　received　no　message　from
him　for　two　days　had　made　me　somewhat　worried；　but　I　have　such
faith　in　him；　such　belief　in　his　good　luck　and　his　ingenuity；　that
I　would　not　allow　myself　to　be　really　anxious。　　Then　on　the　third
day　I　heard　the　news。〃

〃What　news？〃　asked　Marguerite　mechanically。

〃That　the　Englishman　who　was　known　as　the　Scarlet　Pimpernel　had
been　captured　in　a　house　in　the　Rue　de　Ia　Croix　Blanche；　and　had
been　imprisoned　in　the　Conciergerie。〃

〃The　Rue　de　la　Croix　Blanche？　　Where　is　that？〃

〃In　the　Montmartre　quarter。　　Armand　lodged　there。　Percy；　I
imagine；　was　working　to　get　him　away；　and　those　brutes　captured
him。〃

〃Having　heard　the　news；　Sir　Andrew；　what　did　you　do？〃

〃I　went　into　Paris　and　ascertained　its　truth。〃

〃And　there　is　no　doubt　of　it？〃

〃Alas；　none！　　I　went　t