“Madame,” said Agricola, with chagrin, “I have not been deceived.  They are after me.”

“What say you?”

“I thought I was followed, from the moment when I left the Rue St. Merry:  and now it is beyond doubt.  They must have seen me enter your house; and are on the watch to arrest me.  Well, now that your interest has been acquired for my mother,—­now that I have no farther uneasiness for Marshal Simon’s daughters,—­rather than hazard your exposure to anything the least unpleasant, I run to deliver myself up.”

“Beware of that sir,” said Adrienne, quickly.  “Liberty is too precious to be voluntarily sacrificed.  Besides, Georgette may have been mistaken.  But in any case, I entreat you not to surrender yourself.  Take my advice, and escape being arrested.  That, I think, will greatly facilitate my measures; for I am of opinion that justice evinces a great desire to keep possession of those upon whom she has once pounced.”

“Madame,” said Hebe, now also entering with a terrified look, “a man knocked at the little door, and inquired if a young man in a blue blouse has not entered here.  He added, that the person whom he seeks is named Agricola Baudoin, and that he has something to tell him of great importance.”

“That’s my name,” said Agricola; “but the important information is a trick to draw me out.”

“Evidently,” said Adrienne; “and therefore we must play off trick for trick.  What did you answer, child?” added she, addressing herself to Hebe.

“I answered, that I didn’t know what he was talking about.”

“Quite right,” said Adrienne:  “and the man who put the question?”

“He went away, madame.”

“Without doubt to come back again, soon,” said Agricola.

“That is very probable,” said Adrienne, “and therefore, sir, it is necessary for you to remain here some hours with resignation.  I am unfortunately obliged to go immediately to the Princess Saint-Dizier, my aunt, for an important interview, which can no longer be delayed, and is rendered more pressing still by what you have told me concerning the daughters of Marshal Simon.  Remain here, then, sir; since if you go out, you will certainly be arrested.”

“Madame, pardon my refusal; but I must say once more that I ought not to accept this generous offer.”

“Why?”

“They have tried to draw me out, in order to avoid penetrating with the power of the law into your dwelling but if I go not out, they will come in; and never will I expose you to anything so disagreeable.  Now that I am no longer uneasy about my mother, what signifies prison?”

“And the grief that your mother will feel, her uneasiness, and her fears,—­nothing?  Think of your father; and that poor work-woman who loves you as a brother, and whom I value as a sister;—­say, sir, do you forget them also?  Believe me, it is better to spare those torments to your family.  Remain here; and before the evening I am certain, either by giving surety, or some other means, of delivering you from these annoyances.”