Then she and Dominique left the house.
[CHAPTER XLIX]
CIVIC VIRTUE
Dominique and the citizeness proceeded as unobtrusively as they could along the Rue Honoré. He hurried her past the Rue Florentin, down which he knew, without looking, was to be seen the tall machine of execution on the Place de la Révolution.
At first they passed few people, but on approaching the centre of the City they saw numbers in front of the cafés and even going to the theatre. Flashy carriages of thievish men who had enriched themselves under the new conditions, rolled frequently by. The basis of their power, the squalid element with jealous, insolent eyes, also increased on the pavements.
At the Rue de la Monnaie they turned towards the Quays. Just as they were turning, a young woman, whose head was covered with a shawl, glided from a gateway and addressed them.
They both started suspiciously, but the poor creature proved to be only seeking charity, and Cyrène, struck by a certain desperation in her tone, turned to give her a couple of sous. In passing the coins their eyes met, and the mendicant started.
"Great God! Madame Baroness, you do not know me?"
The voice, though altered in quality, recalled other times. Her features became recognisable, and the identity of their owner came over Cyrène.
"Mademoiselle de Richeval!" she gasped.