"Where is he?"
Even in her fear she remained a woman, divided between a horror of the man and the desire to see him again.
"Ah! I see him... Adieu, till to-morrow...."
The reeds fell back into their places, and Vaughan, left alone, seated himself on the tree-trunk. Robespierre soon came up, walking leisurely, a bunch of blue periwinkles in his hand, his eyes on the grass, seeking others. He stooped here and there to gather and arrange them daintily as a bouquet. He was elegantly dressed, with top-boots, chamois knee-breeches, a tight-fitting redingote of grey stuff, and a waistcoat with revers. A red-haired dog of Danish breed gambolled before him, without fraternising unduly, as if his master's faultless attire somewhat overawed him. At a few steps from the stream Robespierre perceived Vaughan, and came to an abrupt halt. At the same time two men appeared, wearing carmagnole jackets and two-horned hats, and carrying stout cudgels. Vaughan rose to meet the Incorruptible. The dog began to bark.
"Advance no further!" cried Robespierre. "Who are you?"
He made a sign to the two men, who evidently had been acting as scouts, and sent them towards Vaughan, who, though aware of his ways, was still a little taken back at these strange preliminaries. Vaughan gave the two men his note of introduction.
Robespierre took the paper, and drew out of his pocket a gold case, from which he took a pair of blue, silver-rimmed spectacles, which he carefully wiped and put on.
"It's all right," he said, after reading the note; and addressing himself to the two men, he added, "Leave me now, but do not go far, and, above all, keep watch round about."
And Robespierre crossed the bridge, and advanced towards Vaughan, followed by his dog.