Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1907-09-12
CHAPTER xxIH.-tCoNr1NUnp.)
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"Let that man enter, whoever he isl"
cried the general.
Lomaque passed Madame Danville on
the threshold. She trembled as he
brushed by her; then, supporting her
self by the wall, followed him few
PAGES into the room. She looked first
at her s0n-after that, at Trudaine-
after that, back again at her son. Some
thing in her presence silenced every
one. There fell sudden stiffness over
all the assembly, stiffness so deep
that the eager, frightened whispering,
and sharpened rustling of dresses
among the women in the library became
audible from the other side of the closed
door.
Charles, she said, slowly advancing,
why do you look?' She stopped, and
fixed her eyes again on her son more
earnestly than before; then turned them
suddenly on Trudaine. ''You are look
ing at my son, sir, she said; "and l see
contempt in your face. By what right
do you insult a man whose grateful
sense of his mothers obligations to you
made him risk his life for the saving of
yours and your sisters? BY what right
have you kept the escape of my sons
wife from death by the guillotine-an
escape which, for all know to the con-
trary. his generous exertions were in
Btrumental in effecting-a secret from
my son? By what right, | demand to
know, has your treacherous secrecy
placed US in such a position as we now
stand in before the master of this
hOuse?"
An expression of sorrow and pity
passed over Trudaine's face while she
spoke He retired few steps, and
gave her no answer. The general
looked at him with eager curiosity, and
dropping his hold of Danville's arm,
seemed about to speak; but Lomaque
stepped forward at the same time, and
held up his hand to claim attention.
Il think I shall express the wishes of
Citizen Trudaine,' he said, addressing
Madame DanvilIe. eff I recommend this
lady not to press for too public an an
Bwer to her questions
, pray, who are you, sir, who take 1t
on yourself to advise me?" she retorted
haughtily. Il have nothing to say toyou,
except that | repeat those questions,
and that | insist on their being an
Bwered"
WHO is this man." asked the gen
eral addressing Trudaine, and pointing
to Lomaque.
"A man unworthy of credit cried
Danville, speaking audibly for the first
time. and darting a look of deadly
hatred at LOmaque. AN agent OF po-
lice under Robespierre.
And in that capacity capable OF
answering questions which refer to the
transactions of Robespierre's tribu-
mails, remarked the ex-chief agent with
his old official self-pOssessiOn.
"True!' exclaimed the general: "the
man is right-let him be heard"
There is no help for it." said Lo-
maune. looking at Trudaine; leave it to
met is fittest that [ should speak.
was present" he continued in a louder
voice. "at the trial of Citizen Trudaine
and his sister, They were brought to
the bar through the denunciation of
Citizen DanviIle Till the confession
of the male prisoner exposed the fact,
can answer for Danvilles not Delng
aware of the real nature of the offenSes
charged against Trudaine and his Sis
ter. When it became known that they
were secretly helping this lady to
escape from France, and when Dan
yille's own head was consequently in
danger. myself heard him save it by
false assertion that he had been aware
Of Trudaine's conspiracy from the
frst-''
do you mean TO say" interrupted
the general. that he proclaimed him
self in open court, as having knowingly
denounced the man who was on trial
for saving his mother?
Il do" answered Lomaque. "a muir
C2ur of horror and indignation rose
from all the strangers present at that
reply) 1.-The reports of the tribunal
are existing to prove the truth of what
say" he went on. AS to the escape of
Citizen Trudaine and the wife of DAN
vile from the guillotine, it was the
work of political circumstances, which
there are persons living to speak to if
necessary. and a little stratagem of
mine. which need not be referred to
now. And last with reference to the
eonceaIment which followed the escape,
l beg to inform you that it was aban-
dOned the moment We knew what was
going on here: and that it was only per-
severed in up to this time, as natural
measure of precautiOn on the part of
Citizen Trudaine. From similar mo-
tive we now abstain from exposing his
sister to the shock and the peril of be-
ing present here. What man with an
atom of feeling would risk letting her
even look again on such a husband as
that?"
CHAPTER XIV.
@5E2z5W E glanced round