"Not only he," Theresia rejoined coldly, "but—but—the other—— Thou knowest well, Pepita—those two arranged to meet here in my lodgings to-night."
"But not at this hour!"
"After the sitting of the Convention."
"It is nearly midnight. They'll not come," the old woman persisted obstinately.
"They arranged to meet here, to talk over certain matters which interest their party," citoyenne Cabarrus went on, equally firmly. "They'll not fail. So tell citizen Moncrif to go, Pepita. He endangers my life by staying here."
"Then do the dirty work thyself," the old woman muttered sullenly. "I'll not be a party to cold-blooded murder."
"Well, since citizen Moncrif's life is more valuable to thee than mine——" Theresia began, but got no farther. The words died on her lips.
Bertrand Moncrif, very pale, still looking scared and wild, had quietly entered the room.
"You wish me to go, Theresia," he said simply. "You did not think surely that I would do anything that might endanger your safety. My God!" he added with passionate vehemence, "Do you not know that I would at any time lay down my life for yours?"
Theresia shrugged her statuesque shoulders.