The next day I was in the street at half past nine. At a quarter of ten
Solange opened the door. We were both ahead of time.
With one leap I was by her side.
"I see you have good news," she said.
"Excellent! First, here is a pass for you."
"First my father!"
She repelled my hand.
"Your father is saved, if he wishes."
"Wishes, you say? What is required of him?"
"He must trust me."
"That is assured."
"Have you seen him?"
"Yes."
"You have discussed the situation with him?"
"It was unavoidable. Heaven will help us."
"Did you tell your father all?"
"I told him you had saved my life yesterday, and that you would perhaps
save his to-morrow."
"To-morrow! Yes, quite right; to-morrow I shall save his life, if it is
his will."
"How? What? Speak! Speak! If that were possible, how fortunately all
things have come to pass!"
"However--" I began hesitatingly.
"Well?"
"It will be impossible for you to accompany him."
"I told you I was resolute."
"I am quite confident, however, that I shall be able later to procure a
passport for you."
"First tell me about my father; my own distress is less important."
"Well, I told you I had friends, did I not?"
"Yes."
"To-day I sought out one of them."
"Proceed."
"A man whose name is familiar to you; whose name is a guarantee of courage
and honor."
"And this man is?"
"Marceau."
"General Marceau?"
"Yes."
"True, he will keep a promise."
"Well, he has promised."
"Mon Dieu! How happy you make me! What has he promised? Tell me all."
"He has promised to help us."
"In what manner?"
"In a very simple manner. Kléber has just had him promoted to the command
of the western army. He departs to-morrow night."
"To-morrow night! We shall have no time to make the smallest preparation."
"There are no preparations to make."
"I do not understand."
"He will take your father with him."
"My father?"
"Yes, as his secretary. Arrived in the Vendée, your father will pledge his
word to the general to undertake nothing against France. From there he
will escape to Brittany, and from Brittany to England. When he arrives in
London, he will inform you; I shall obtain a passport for you, and you
will join him in London."
"To-morrow," exclaimed Solange; "my father departs tomorrow!"
"There is no time to waste."
"My father has not been informed."
"Inform him."
"To-night?"
"To-night."
"But how, at this hour?"
"You have a pass and my arm."
"True. My pass."