"  Citizen  Evremonde,"  she  said,  touching  him  with  her
cold  hand.  "I  am  a  poor  little  seamstress,  who  was  with
you  in  La  Force."

He  murmured  for  answer :  "  True.  I  forget  what  you  were
accused  of.''"

"  Plots.  Though  the  just  Heaven  knows  I  am  innocent  of
any.  Is  it  hkely  ?  Who  would  think  of  plotting  with  a  poor
little  weak  creature  like  me  ? "

The  forlorn  smile  with  which  she  said  it,  so  touched  him,
that  tears  started  from  his  eyes.
"  I  am  not  afraid  to  die,  Citizen  Evremonde,  but  I  have
done  nothing.     I  am  not  unwilling  to  die,  if  the  Republic


LEAVING  PARIS.  413

which  is  to  do  so  much  good  to  us  poor,  will  profit  by  my
death ;  but  I  do  not  know  how  that  can  be,  Citizen  Evrdmonde.
Such  a  poor  weak  little  creature ! "

As  the  last  thing  on  earth  that  his  heart  was  to  warm  and
soften  to,  it  warmed  and  softened  to  this  pitiable  girl.
"I  heard  you  were  released,  Citizen  Evrdmonde.  I  hoped
it  was  true?"

"It  was.     But,  I  was  again  taken  and  condemned."
"  If  I  may  ride  with  you,  Citizen  Evremonde,  will  you  let
me  hold  yoiu:  hand  ?     I  am  not  afraid,  but  I  am  little  and
weak,  and  it  wiU  give  me  more  courage."

As  the  patient  eyes  were  lifted  to  his  face,  he  saw  a  sudden
doubt  in  them,  and  then  astonishment.     He  pressed  the  work-
worn,  hunger-worn  young  fingers,  and  touched  his  lips.
"Are  you  dying  for  him.?"  she  whispered.
