"General von Waldenmeer says that in less than three months' time the Prussian army will be in Paris," said Edmé.
A slight smile of incredulity was Tournay's only reply.
"The monarchy will be restored," she continued; "little mercy will be shown the Republicans. They will have justice meted out to them by their conquerors."
"The allied armies will never reach Paris, mademoiselle, and before they restore the monarchy they must kill every Republican who stands between them and the throne."
"I do not want them to kill you," she said simply.
His heart beat wildly. For an instant he did not speak. When he could trust his voice to answer he said:—
"I thank you deeply for your solicitude, mademoiselle, but whatever happens I must go back to my duty."
Edmé hesitated a moment, then spoke, at first with evident effort; then warming into a tone of almost passionate entreaty.
"You have done much for an unhappy woman, Robert Tournay. The remembrance of the loyalty and devotion with which you watched over and protected me shall never pass out of my memory. The de Rocheforts do not easily forget such a debt as I owe you. In an attempt to repay it in some measure, I persuaded General von Waldenmeer to offer you an honorable position in his service. I am a proud woman, Monsieur Tournay, and it cost me something to make such an appeal to the Prussian officer, and now you reject his offer and present yourself before me so coolly and say carelessly, 'I have come, mademoiselle, to bid you adieu.'"
"You think it easy for me to say those words?" replied Tournay vehemently.