The girl and the man were at their leave-taking. Few words were spoken. The giant clasped both her little hands in his great paws.
“What you have done for me I shall never forget!” he was saying.
“Oh, if I had a great kind brother like this!” was her sudden thought.
“Whisht!” she whispered vocally as the knock was heard. Again the little gesture of warning finger to mouth.
She stole to the keyhole and thought she recognized the habiliments of her neighbor the dandy. Motioning Danton back out of sight she opened the door on the crack, closed it as she slipped through, and encountered the bowing and smirking Robespierre.
“A man escaped from the spadassins here last night-did he find refuge with you?”
“You are mistaken, Monsieur. I am quite alone.”
“May I just see? Very intimate friend of mine, I am sure.”
“No, you may not!” Henriette quickly reentered, and slammed and locked the door on the future Dictator of France. ’Twas only a little door slam, but it re-echoed later, even at the Gates of Death! Rubbing his long nose Robespierre took snuff.