“She is safe,” he said. “She has not been seen.”
In a breath we had drawn the rope up again.
“Now, Charlotte,” said M. le Comte; and I helped her to mount the window.
“Mademoiselle,” I said hoarsely, “take this pistol. Conceal it somewhere in your gown; and if you are surprised, if you see there is no escape, use it.”
For an instant she did not understand; then with a quick breath she held out her hand.
“Thank you,” she said quietly. “I shall not forget;” and she thrust the weapon beneath her cloak.
“Good-by, my love!” I whispered; and with melting eyes she pressed her lips to mine. “My love! My love!”
She smiled at me tenderly; then she passed slowly downward, out of sight. A moment more and she, too, had reached the ground.
So concerned had we been in getting them safely down that neither of us had thought or ear for the tumult beneath our feet; but now, as we paused an instant to take breath, it seemed to me that it was mounting toward us.
“You next, M. le Comte,” I said; “and do not wait for me. Get under cover of the wood, and I will join you—but do not wait too long.”