My situation became every moment more painful; I sustained the character of confidence with a worse grace than ever.

Equally afraid of the arrival of their Accomplices and of their suspecting my knowledge of their designs, I knew not how to dissipate the distrust which the Banditti evidently entertained for me.

In this new dilemma the friendly Marguerite again assisted me.

She passed behind the Chairs of her Stepsons, stopped for a moment opposite to me, closed her eyes, and reclined her head upon her shoulder.

This hint immediately dispelled my incertitude.