His friends, hearing of his arrest, organised a plot for his release, established communications with him, and so skilfully arranged that one morning the Chevalier de —— left the Luxembourg disguised as a soldier, passed into the streets, and thought he was saved.
But his enemy stood before him with a smile of triumph.
“Again that wretched madman!” muttered the Chevalier. “Is it God’s justice that puts him always in my way to destroy me?”
“I am enchanted to see you again, my dear Chevalier de ——, and I hope you are in a better humour to-day. Instead of the dinner you refused, accept the déjeuner I offer you this morning.”
“For God’s sake, hold your tongue and let me pass,” said the Chevalier in a low voice. “My life depends upon it. Do you hear? do you understand? I have just escaped from prison; I am condemned to death. If you hold your tongue and let me pass I am saved, but if you keep me and call out my name you will kill me.”
“What the devil of a story are you telling me, Chevalier de ——?” cried his tormentor. “Where did you have supper last night? I believe you have drunk too much.”
“Come, Marquis, try to have a spark of reason. It is my life I ask of you—my life.”
“Parbleu, let us live merrily! that is my motto; and let us begin by breakfasting. At any rate, I shall not leave you. Where you go I shall follow, if you run I shall run after you, calling out, ‘Let us go to breakfast, Chevalier de ——’”
Seeing that attention was being attracted to them, the Chevalier in despair put his arm into that of the Marquis, saying—