Part 20 (1/2)
But she neither moved nor spoke, not even presently when a loud and cheerful voice ca from a distant corridor, and anon the door opened and her husband came in, accompanied by Chauvelin
The ex-ambassador was very obviously in a state of acute nervous tension; his hands were tightly clasped behind his back, and his movements were curiously irresponsible and jerky But Sir Percy Blakeney looked a picture of calm unconcern: the lace bow at his throat was tied with scrupulous care, his eyeglass upheld at quite the correct angle, and his delicate-coloured caped coat was thrown back just sufficiently to afford a glimpse of the dainty cloth suit and exquisitely embroidered waistcoat beneath
He was the perfect presentation of a London dandy, and -roouerite's eyes were riveted on hiht projected by the candles, but not even with that acute sixth sense of a passionate and loving wohtest trelass, nor the faintest quiver of the firmly moulded lips
This had occurred just as the bell of the old Beffroi chimed three-quarters after six Noas close on seven, and in the centre of the roohted up by the candles, at the table pen in hand sat Sir Percy writing
At his elbow just behind him stood Chauvelin on the one side and Collot d'Herbois on the other, both watching with fixed and burning eyes the writing of that letter
Sir Percy seemed in no hurry He wrote slowly and deliberately, carefully copying the draft of the letter which was propped up in front of hi of some of the French words seean he made many facetious and self-deprecatory remarks anent his oant of education, and carelessness in youth in acquiring the gentle art of speaking so elegant a language
Presently, however, he appeared more at his ease, or perhaps less inclined to talk, since he only received curt monosyllabic answers to his pleasant sallies Five one by without any other sound, save the spasmodic creak of Sir Percy's pen upon the paper, the while Chauvelin and Collot watched every word he wrote
But gradually fro a distant, rolling noise like that of surf breaking against the cliffs Nearer and louder it grew, and as it increased in voluained now in diversity The monotonous, roll-like, far-off thunder was just as continuous as before, but now shriller notes broke out froh seemed ever and anon to pierce the distance and to rise above the persistent hubbub, which became the mere accompanine, having started fro the round of the town by the wide avenue which tops the raing, brass tru drum ahead, drenched, hot, and hoarse, but supremely happy
Sir Percy looked up for a moment as the noise drew neared, then turned to Chauvelin and pointing to the letter, he said: ”I have nearly finished!”
The suspense in the s unendurable, and four hearts at least were beating wildly with overpowering anxiety Marguerite's eyes were fixed with tender intensity on the man she so passionately loved She did not understand his actions or hisin her, to drink in every line of that loved face, as if with this last, long look she was bidding an eternal farewell to all hopes of future earthly happiness
The old priest had ceased to tell his beads Feeling in his kindly heart the echo of the appalling tragedy which was being enacted before hiuerite, and given her icy fingers a co pressure
And in the hearts of Chauvelin and his colleague there was satisfied revenge, eager, exultant triumph and that terrible nerve-tension which i-expected climax
But who can say ent on within the heart of that bold adventurer, about to be brought to the lowest depths of humiliation which it is in the power of man to endure? What behind that se of writing?
The croas now on the Place Dau the stone steps which lead to the southern ramparts The noise had become incessant: Pierrots and Pierrettes, Harlequins and Columbines had worked thehter
Now as they all swarht of the openalhted rooave forth one terrific and voluoverniven them cause for all this joy Then they recollected how the amnesty, the pardon, the national fete, this brilliant procession had come about, and somebody in the crowd shouted: ”Allons! les us have a look at that English spy!”
”Let us see the Scarlet Pimpernel!”
”Yes! yes! let us see what he is like!”
They shouted and sta their lanthorns and delish spy be shown to them
Faces ith rain and perspiration tried to peep in at theCollot gave brief orders to the soldiers to close the shutters at once and to push away the crowd, but the croould not be pushed It would not be gainsaid, and when the soldiers tried to close the enty angry fists broke the panes of glass
”I can't finish this writing in your lingo, sir, whilst this de on,” said Sir Percy placidly
”You have not ed Chauvelin with nervous ione from out this city”
”Send that demmed lot away, then,” rejoined Sir Percy calo They want to see you”
Sir Percy paused a moment, pen in hand, as if in deep reflection
”They want to see h ”Why, demn it all then, why not let em?”
And with a few rapid strokes of the pen, he quickly finished the letter, adding his signature with a bold flourish, whilst the crowd, pushi+ng, jostling, shouting and cursing the soldiers, still loudly demanded to see the Scarlet Pimpernel
Chauvelin felt as if his heart would veritably burst with the wildness of its beating
Then Sir Percy, with one hand lightly pressed on the letter, pushed his chair away and with his pleasant ringing voice, said once again: ”Well! de to his feet and up to his full height, and as he did so he seized the two massive pewter candlesticks, one in each hand, and with powerful arh above his head
”The letter” murmured Chauvelin in a hoarse whisper
But even as he was quickly reaching out a hand, which shook with the intensity of his excitement, towards the letter on the table, Blakeney, with one loud and sudden shout, threw the heavy candlesticks onto the floor They rattled doith a terrific crash, the lights were extinguished, and the whole rooave a wild yell of fear: they had only caught sight for one instant of that gigantic figure-which, with arms outstretched had see light of the tallow candles and the next aze Overcome with sudden superstitious fear, Pierrots and Pierrettes, drummer and trumpeters turned and fled in every direction
Within the room all ild confusion The soldiers had heard a cry: ”La fenetre! La fenetre!”
Who gave it no one knew, no one could afterwards recollect: certain it is that with one accord the majority of the men made a rush for the open , driven thither partly by the wild instinct of the chase after an escaping enemy, and partly by the same superstitious terror which had caused the crowd to flee They clambered over the sill and dropped down on to the ramparts below, then started in wild pursuit
But when the crash caiven one frantic shout: ”The letter!!! Collot!! A moi In his hand The letter!”
There was the sound of a heavy thud, of a terrible scuffle there on the floor in the darkness and then a yell of victory from Collot d'Herbois
”I have the letter! A Paris!”
”Victory!” echoed Chauvelin, exultant and panting, ”victory!! The Angelus, friend Hebert! Take the calotin to ring the Angelus!!!”
It was instinct which caused Collot d'Herbois to find the door; he tore it open, letting in a feeble ray of light from the corridor He stood in the doorway one ainst the lighter background beyond, a look of exultant and malicious triumph, of deadly hate and cruelty distinctly imprinted on his face and with upraised hand wildly flourishi+ng the precious document, the brand of dishonour for the enemy of France
”A Paris!” shouted Chauvelin to him excitedly ”Into Robespierre's handsThe letter!”