She wished to shriek and ring for help; but he bent on her the fascinating gaze which caused her the invincible lethargy she remembered Cagliostro could impose upon her: but in this mesmerist and his spell-binding look and bearing, she recognized Gilbert.
How was it the execrated father stood in the stead of his beloved son?
CHAPTER XIV.
IN SEARCH OF THEIR SON.
IT was Dr. Gilbert who was closeted with the King when the usher inquired after him on the order of Isidore and the entreaty of Sebastian.
The upright heart of Louis XVI. had appreciated the loyalty in the doctor’s. After half an hour, the latter came forth and went into the Queen’s ante-chamber, where he saw Isidore.
“I asked for you, doctor, but I have another with me who wants still more to see you. It will be cruel to detain you from him: so let us hasten to the Green Saloon.”
But the room was empty and such was the confusion in the palace that no servant was at hand to inform them what had become of the young man.
“It was a person I met on the road, eager to get to Paris and coming here on foot only for my giving him a ride.”
“Are you speaking of the peasant Pitou?”
“No, doctor—of your son, Sebastian.”