But as she moved a cry rooted her to the spot.

A rush of feet and the babel of many voices filled the passage with a tide of sound, which drew rapidly nearer.

The escape was known! Would the fugitives have time to slip out below?
Some one knocked at the door, tried it, pushed and beat on it.

But the Countess and all in the room had run to the windows and were looking out.
If the two had not yet made their escape they must be taken.

Yet no; as the Countess leaned from the window, first one dusty figure and then a second darted from a door below, and made for the nearest turning, out of the Place Ste.-Croix.