"You say that you love him, and you are willing to send him to the guillotine," repeated Edmé.
"If it were not that it would be giving him to you, I would give my life a thousand times to save him," was the answer.
Edmé caught La Liberté by the arm.
"You have it in your power to cause my arrest. If you will not use that power, if you will give me only twenty-four hours, I may be able to save Robert Tournay's life. At the expiration of that time, whether I succeed or fail, I will surrender myself. I will denounce myself before the Committee of Public Safety."
La Liberté looked into Edmé's face searchingly but made no reply.
"You understand what I propose," Edmé continued in a cool, firm voice. "If you agree to it you can accomplish what you desire; the rescue of Robert Tournay and my death."
"Bah," said La Liberté with a shrug; "you are very heroic, but, Robert Tournay once out of danger, you would not give yourself up to the committee. In your place, I should not do it, and I will not trust you."
"I give you my promise to appear before Robespierre himself."
"Your promise," repeated La Liberté, "you ask me to accept your simple word?"
"The word of a de Rochefort," said Edmé with quiet dignity.