She rushed past the Countess across the room and flung wide the door, on the very brink of happiness.
But a troop of guards stood there to her astonished gaze. The Count de Linieres, standing at their head, pronounced her name as if reading a warrant: “Henrietta Girard!”
The girl drew back, then charged like a little fury on the gunstocks and bosoms of the troopers, pounding them with her fists.
Unable to move this granite-like wall, she dashed back to the balcony eyrie, imploring Louise with both hands.
“Arrest her!” said de Linieres to the soldiers.
Brawny troopers pulled her back as she would have jumped out of the window to the flagging below––and her Louise. Vainly the Countess de Linieres entreated for mercy. They dragged the girl downstairs.
Here again she made a frantic appeal and wild effort to join her blind charge, who was being hurried away in the vise-like grip of La Frochard.
“Oh, for Heaven’s sake, have pity––let me go to my sister, or I shall lose her again!”
Deaf to her entreaties, they took her to La Salpetriere, this loveliest of virgins, to be immured among the foul characters there!