And now ?" "Now escort me." "Where ?" "Where I am going." "But where are you going ?" "You will see, because you will leave me at the door." "Shall I wait for you ?" "That will be useless." "You will return alone, then ?" "Perhaps yes, perhaps no." "But will the person who shall accompany you afterward be a man or a woman ?" "I don't know yet." "But I will know it!" "How so ?" "I will wait until you come out." "In that case, adieu." "Why so ?" "I do not want you." "But you have claimed--" "The aid of a gentleman, not the watchfulness of a spy." "The word is rather hard." "How are they called who follow others in spite of them ?" "They are indiscreet." "The word is too mild." "Well, madame, I perceive I must do as you wish." "Why did you deprive yourself of the merit of doing so at once ?" "Is there no merit in repentance ?" "And do you really repent ?" "I know nothing about it myself.

But what I know is that I promise to do all you wish if you allow me to accompany you where you are going." "And you will leave me then ?" "Yes." "Without waiting for my coming out again ?" "Yes." "Word of honor ?" "By the faith of a gentleman.

Take my arm, and let us go." D'Artagnan offered his arm to Mme.Bonacieux, who willingly took it, half laughing, half trembling, and both gained the top of Rue de la Harpe.

Arriving there, the young woman seemed to hesitate, as she had before done in the Rue Vaugirard.

She seemed, however, by certain signs, to recognize a door, and approaching that door, "And now, monsieur," said she, "it is here I have business; a thousand thanks for your honorable company, which has saved me from all the dangers to which, alone I was exposed.