"I acknowledge, however," said Geneviève, "I have been very desirous to see this poor woman."
"Let us see," said Maurice, anxious to gratify all the wishes of Geneviève; "have you really such an inclination? Then only say the word. I agree with the Citizen Morand that the Republic is a fairy; but I, in quality of municipal, am somewhat of a wizard."
"Could you procure me a sight of the queen, you, Monsieur?" cried Geneviève.
"Certainly, I can."
"And how?" demanded Morand, exchanging a rapid glance with Geneviève, which escaped the notice of the young man.
"Nothing more simple," said Maurice. "There are certainly some municipals of whom they are distrustful; but as for me, I have given sufficient evidence of my devotion to the cause of liberty to render me above all suspicion. Besides, admittance to the Temple depends conjointly on the municipals and the chiefs of the post. Now, the chief of the post is, just at this moment, my friend Lorin, who appears to me to be called indubitably to replace General Santerre, seeing that in three months he has risen from the rank of corporal to that of adjutant-major. Well, come and see me at the Temple the day I shall be on guard,—that is to say, next Thursday."
"Well," said Morand, "I hope now your wishes will be gratified. There is the whole matter arranged."
"Oh! no, no," said Geneviève; "indeed, I would not have it thus."
"And wherefore not?" said Maurice, who only anticipated in this visit to the Temple an opportunity of seeing Geneviève on a day when he had expected to be deprived of this happiness.
"Because," answered Geneviève, "it might perhaps, dear Maurice, expose you to some unpleasant dispute; and if anything were to happen to you through gratifying a whim of mine, I should never, while I lived, forgive myself."