“How can we get out, Petit Bossu?� she demanded grimly,—“in your shoe-bag?�
“The servants are feasting in the kitchen,� the cobbler said. “Père Ambroise and M. de Baudri are drinking below, and the stairs are not two yards from this door. We must trust in the bon Dieu.�
As he spoke, he opened his bag and took out two long cloaks and hoods similar to those worn by an order of Sisters of Charity at Nîmes.
“Thou hast the mind of a great general, Charlot,� remarked Babet, with a queer smile; “the hump is a pity.�
Rosaline roused herself and looked at the disguise.
“Alas! where can we go, Charlot?� she asked sadly; “how can we escape them?�
“To-night you can go to my shop, mademoiselle,� he replied, quietly, “and to-morrow, as soon as the gates are open, you can start out to St. Césaire. I have arranged with the blacksmith’s wife to hide you until I can guide you to—to a place of safety.�
“It may be done,� Rosaline said, after a moment’s thought. “I was to have till eight to-morrow; there is one hope in a thousand—but the risk to you, Charlot!�
The little hunchback smiled. “Mademoiselle,� he said quietly, “I am scarcely worth killing.�
The tears shone in her blue eyes, but she said nothing, partly because Babet was hurriedly muffling her in the cloak and hood.