On seeing the Governor of the prison, the gate was opened, and the Countess was carried into the office, but she stood up and fell on her knees, clasping her hands.
“Only to see him—to see him! Oh! I will do no wrong! But if you do not want to see me die on the spot, let me look at Lucien dead or living.—Ah, my dear, are you here? Choose between my death and——”
She sank in a heap.
“You are kind,” she said; “I will always love you——”
“Carry her away,” said Monsieur de Bauvan.
“No, we will go to Lucien’s cell,” said Monsieur de Granville, reading a purpose in Monsieur de Serizy’s wild looks.
And he lifted up the Countess, and took her under one arm, while Monsieur de Bauvan supported her on the other side.
“Monsieur,” said the Comte de Serizy to the Governor, “silence as of the grave about all this.”
“Be easy,” replied the Governor; “you have done the wisest thing.—If this lady——”
“She is my wife.”