“Yet you undertook to bring the message to Beauvais.  Was it in your mind to advise that no notice should be taken of it?”

“Indeed, mademoiselle, I thought of little beyond fulfilling the oath I had taken, and to go my way again as quickly as possible.”

“The answer to the message must rest with me, Monsieur Barrington,” she said, quietly.  “It was not by my own will that I left Paris.  I am not afraid to return.  Will you help me?”

“Mademoiselle, I——­”

“Please, Monsieur Barrington.  It means life or death, perchance, to the man I love.”

“Curse him for asking you to face such a danger.”

“Hush, you cannot understand,” she said, putting her hand upon his arm.  “I know Lucien.  From Beauvais you will journey to Paris.  Will you let me go with you?”

“No.  I will not help you to your destruction.  I will carry whatever message you will to this man, but I will not do more.”

“Then take this message:  Jeanne St. Clair is on her way to Paris; she asked my escort, but since I would not give it she has found another.  Tell him that, Monsieur Barrington.”

“Have you no fear, mademoiselle?”

“For myself—­none.”

“Very well, I will try and see you safely into Paris.  You will go most easily as a woman of the people, one who has some aristocrat enemy on whom she wishes to be avenged.  Do you think you can play such a part?”

“I will do as you bid me.”

“Hide your hair, mademoiselle; wear some hideous cloak which may do something to spoil your beauty.  If you will go, I may be a safer escort than any other.  I claim friendship with Monsieur de Lafayette, so I am for the people.  Even if we cause suspicion they will hardly prevent our going to Paris.  Your return——­”

“We need not arrange for that now, monsieur.  When will you start?”

“As soon as possible.”

“To-morrow at dawn,” she answered.  “At the foot of the road leading up to Beauvais, you will see to your left a wood which ends abruptly as it approaches the valley down which we must go to the frontier.  I have papers that shall help me to pass.  I have always known that I should have to return to Paris.  Amongst the trees at the end of the wood I will come to you to-morrow—­at dawn.”

“I and my servant will await you there, mademoiselle.  At least two men shall do their utmost to protect you.”

He picked up her mask which had fallen to the floor.

“Will you fasten it for me?” she said.

It was rather clumsily done.  His fingers trembled a little as they touched her hair.  He was very close to her; her personality, the faint perfume about her, took fast hold of him.  What manner of man could this Lucien be who had won the love of such a woman as this?

He put on his own mask, and then taking up the lantern followed her back along the narrow stone passage.  As she came to the corridor she stopped.