"Yes, monsieur."
"Open Monsieur de Canolles' door."
"Monsieur de Canolles in number two?"
"Yes, number two; open at once."
"By the way, I believe they are both together in there," said the turnkey; "you can choose the best-looking."
Jailers in all ages have been facetious. But Madame de Cambes was too happy to take offence at the heartless pleasantry. On the contrary she smiled at it, and would have embraced the man if need be to induce him to hasten so that she might be with Canolles a second earlier.
At last the door was opened. Canolles who had heard steps in the corridor, and recognized the viscountess's voice, threw himself into her arms, and she, forgetting that he was neither her husband or her lover, strained him to her heart with all her strength. The peril that had threatened him, the eternal separation to which they had come so close, purified everything.
"Well, my dear," said she, radiant with joy and pride, "you see that I have kept my word: I have obtained your pardon as I promised; I have come to fetch you, and we are going away."
Even as she spoke she was dragging him toward the corridor.
"Monsieur," said the lieutenant, "you may well devote your whole life to madame, for you certainly owe it to her."