"
"Ah! you make me shudder!" cried Marie. "Marquis," she continued, in a
tone which seemed to indicate some mysterious personal reticence, "a
single instant suffices to destroy illusions and to betray secrets on
which the life and happiness of many may depend--" she stopped, as
though she feared she had said too much; then she added, in another
tone, "I wish I could be sure that those Republican soldiers were in
safety."
"I will be prudent," he said, smiling to disguise his emotion; "but
say no more about your soldiers; have I not answered for their safety
on my word as a gentleman?"
"And after all," she said, "what right have I to dictate to you? Be my
master henceforth. Did I not tell you it would drive me to despair to
rule a slave?"
"Monsieur le marquis," said Major Brigaut, respectfully, interrupting
the conversation, "how long are the Blues to remain here?"
"They will leave as soon as they are rested," said Marie.
The marquis looked about the room and noticed the agitation of those
present. He left Mademoiselle de Verneuil, and his place beside her
was taken at once by Madame du Gua, whose smiling and treacherous face
was in no way disconcerted by the young chief's bitter smile. Just
then Francine, standing by the window, gave a stifled cry. Marie,
noticing with amazement that the girl left the room, looked at Madame
du Gua, and her surprise increased as she saw the pallor on the face
of her enemy.
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