‘It is, monsieur,’ replied the Languedocian timidly.
‘And mine is Philippe Glazer,’ said the other. ‘Now we know one another. I was sent to look after you by Benoit Mousel, who is at home by this time. They lost you in the Rue des Lombards.’
‘How can I thank you for your interference?’ said Louise.
‘Thank our Lady rather, for the lucky chance that brought me to you at such a moment. I despaired of seeing you in such a vast mob, although Benoit has described you pretty closely. But come, we will find our way to the quay.’
‘You know Benoit Mousel, then?’ said Louise, as they moved on together.
‘Passably well, mademoiselle. I had him under my care for a while, after he had been somewhat unceremoniously pitched out of a window at the Hôtel de Cluny, during one of the merrymakings that M. de Lauzun is accustomed to hold there whenever he is not in the Bastille.’
Louise Gauthier recollected the evening too well, and shuddered as she recalled to mind its events. She did not speak again, but keeping close to Philippe’s side, as if she feared a fresh attack from the people about, kept on her way in silence towards the water-side.
They descended to one of the landing-places at the foot of the Pont Notre Dame, and found the boat lying there, into which the student assisted his companion, and then, with a few strokes of his powerful arm, reached the boat-mill. There was a light in the chamber, and the instant they touched the lighter Benoit and his wife appeared with a flambeau, and broke forth into exclamations of joy at the return of Louise.
In two minutes more the party were assembled in the room, to which the reader has been already introduced. Bathilde bustled about, with her usual good-tempered activity, to place the repast on the table; and when all this was settled, she opened the door of the stove, to let its warm light stream out over the room; and they then took their places.
‘I need not make a secret of my mission, mademoiselle,’ said Philippe, when they were seated; ‘for I presume there is nothing you would wish to conceal from our friends.’