Very solemnly Andre-Louis shook his head.

“That is impossible,” he said.

M. de Kercadiou’s mouth fell open in astonishment.  “Impossible!” he repeated.  “But why?”

“Monsieur, I can do what I am doing for Aline without offending my conscience.  Besides, for Aline I would offend my conscience and do it.  But Mme. de Plougastel is in very different case.  Neither Aline nor any of hers have been concerned in counter-revolutionary work, which is the true source of the calamity that now threatens to overtake us.  I can procure her removal from Paris without self-reproach, convinced that I am doing nothing that any one could censure, or that might become the subject of enquiries.  But Mme. de Plougastel is the wife of M. le Comte de Plougastel, whom all the world knows to be an agent between the Court and the emigres.”

“That is no fault of hers,” cried M. de Kercadiou through his consternation.

“Agreed.  But she may be called upon at any moment to establish the fact that she is not a party to these manoeuvres.  It is known that she was in Paris to-day.  Should she be sought to-morrow and should it be found that she has gone, enquiries will certainly be made, from which it must result that I have betrayed my trust, and abused my powers to serve personal ends.  I hope, monsieur, that you will understand that the risk is too great to be run for the sake of a stranger.”

“A stranger?” said the Seigneur reproachfully.

“Practically a stranger to me,” said Andre-Louis.

“But she is not a stranger to me, Andre.  She is my cousin and very dear and valued friend.  And, mon Dieu, what you say but increases the urgency of getting her out of Paris.  She must be rescued, Andre, at all costs — she must be rescued!  Why, her case is infinitely more urgent than Aline’s!”

He stood a suppliant before his godson, very different now from the stern man who had greeted him on his arrival.  His face was pale, his hands shook, and there were beads of perspiration on his brow.

“Monsieur my godfather, I would do anything in reason.  But I cannot do this.  To rescue her might mean ruin for Aline and yourself as well as for me.”

“We must take the risk.”

“You have a right to speak for yourself, of course.”

“Oh, and for you, believe me, Andre, for you!” He came close to the young man.  “Andre, I implore you to take my word for that, and to obtain this permit for Mme. de Plougastel.”

Andre looked at him mystified.  “This is fantastic,” he said.  “I have grateful memories of the lady’s interest in me for a few days once when I was a child, and again more recently in Paris when she sought to convert me to what she accounts the true political religion.  But I do not risk my neck for her — no, nor yours, nor Aline’s.”

“Ah!  But, Andre... "

“That is my last word, monsieur.  It is growing late, and I desire to sleep in Paris.”