"
The left bank of the gardens, which Clef-des-Coeurs thus delayed
searching at once, was, unhappily, the dangerous slope where Francine
had seen the moving line of men. All things go by chance in war.
As Gerard entered the salon and bowed to the company he cast a
penetrating eye on the men who were present. Suspicions came forcibly
to his mind, and he went at once to Mademoiselle de Verneuil and said
in a low voice: "I think you had better leave this place immediately.
We are not safe here."
"What can you fear while I am with you?" she answered, laughing. "You
are safer here than you would be at Mayenne."
A woman answers for her lover in good faith. The two officers were
reassured. The party now moved into the dining-room after some
discussion about a guest, apparently of some importance, who had not
appeared. Mademoiselle de Verneuil was able, thanks to the silence
which always reigns at the beginning of a meal, to give some attention
to the character of the assemblage, which was curious enough under
existing circumstances. One thing struck her with surprise. The
Republican officers seemed superior to the rest of the assembly by
reason of their dignified appearance. Their long hair tied behind in a
queue drew lines beside their foreheads which gave, in those days, an
expression of great candor and nobleness to young heads.
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