M. de Kercadiou gripped his godson’s hand convulsively, and held it a moment with no word spoken.  Then as they fell away from each other again: 

“And now, what will you do, Andre?” he asked.  “Now that you know?”

Andre-Louis stood awhile, considering, then broke into laughter.  The situation had its humours.  He explained them.

“What difference should the knowledge make?  Is filial piety to be called into existence by the mere announcement of relationship?  Am I to risk my neck through lack of circumspection on behalf of a mother so very circumspect that she had no intention of ever revealing herself?  The discovery rests upon the merest chance, upon a fall of the dice of Fate.  Is that to weigh with me?”

“The decision is with you, Andre.”

“Nay, it is beyond me.  Decide it who can, I cannot.”

“You mean that you refuse even now?”

“I mean that I consent.  Since I cannot decide what it is that I should do, it only remains for me to do what a son should.  It is grotesque; but all life is grotesque.”

“You will never, never regret it.”

“I hope not,” said Andre.  “Yet I think it very likely that I shall.  And now I had better see Rougane again at once, and obtain from him the other two permits required.  Then perhaps it will be best that I take them to Paris myself, in the morning.  If you will give me a bed, monsieur, I shall be grateful.  I...  I confess that I am hardly in case to do more to-night.”

CHAPTER XIII

SANCTUARY

Into the late afternoon of that endless day of horror with its perpetual alarms, its volleying musketry, rolling drums, and distant muttering of angry multitudes, Mme. de Plougastel and Aline sat waiting in that handsome house in the Rue du Paradis.  It was no longer for Rougane they waited.  They realized that, be the reason what it might — and by now many reasons must no doubt exist — this friendly messenger would not return.  They waited without knowing for what.  They waited for whatever might betide.

At one time early in the afternoon the roar of battle approached them, racing swiftly in their direction, swelling each moment in volume and in horror.  It was the frenzied clamour of a multitude drunk with blood and bent on destruction.  Near at hand that fierce wave of humanity checked in its turbulent progress.  Followed blows of pikes upon a door and imperious calls to open, and thereafter came the rending of timbers, the shivering of glass, screams of terror blending with screams of rage, and, running through these shrill sounds, the deeper diapason of bestial laughter.

It was a hunt of two wretched Swiss guardsmen seeking blindly to escape.  And they were run to earth in a house in the neighbourhood, and there cruelly done to death by that demoniac mob.  The thing accomplished, the hunters, male and female, forming into a battalion, came swinging down the Rue du Paradis, chanting the song of Marseilles — a song new to Paris in those days: