Mrs Girdwood, yet engaged with the trio of gentlemen, was in a reception-room below. “Where?” asked Cornelia.
“Where! I’m astonished you should ask! Of course after him!”
“Dear Jule! I know what you mean. I was thinking of it myself. But what will aunt say, if we so expose ourselves? There’s danger in the streets. I believe they were firing upon the people—I’m sure they were! You hear the shooting now? Isn’t that the roaring of cannon? It sounds like it!”
“Don’t be a coward, cousin! You remember a roaring loud as that against the rocky cliffs of Newport! Did he hold back when we were in danger of our lives? Perhaps we may save his!”
“Julia! I did not think of holding back. I’m ready to go with you, if we can do anything for him. What do you propose?”
“First, find out to where they have taken him. I’ll know that soon. You saw me speak to a commissaire!”
“I did. You put something into his hand?”
“A five-franc piece for him to follow the Zouaves, and see where they took their prisoner. I promised him twice as much to come back and make report. I warrant he’ll soon be here.”
“And what then, Julia? What can we do?”
“Of ourselves, nothing. I don’t know any more than yourself why Captain Maynard has got into trouble with these Parisian soldiers. No doubt it’s on account of his republican belief. We’ve heard about that; and God bless the man for so believing!”