"There!" said the vindictive gaoler, ushering in Pendarves, as if he felt how painful a tête-à-tête between us now would be; "there, citizen! I shall shut you up with your wife, till I know what is to be done with her. But perhaps you would like the other citoyenne better?"
"Peace!" cried Pendarves, "and leave us alone!"
"Helen!" said my husband.
"Mr. Pendarves!"
"I see how it is, Helen; nor can I blame you: appearances were against me. But I must and will assure you, that that person's appearing at such a time, and her behaviour, were as unexpected as they were unwelcome."
Still I spoke not: no, not even to inquire why I had the misery of seeing him return; and ere I had broken this painful but only too natural silence, and had only just resumed my woman's gown, the door was again thrown open, and an officer of the National Convention came to say, that I was allowed to return home for the present, till further proceedings were resolved upon.
"Take notice, sir," said Pendarves, "that this lady's only fault has been too great a regard for an unworthy husband; and that what you may deem a crime, the rest of Europe will call a virtue."
The officer smiled; and wishing my husband good night, I followed where he led.
At the gate I found De Walden, who accompanied me home, having first been assured by the officer that I should be under surveillance.
"And is it thus, rash Helen, you use your best friends, and risk an existence so valuable?" cried De Walden.