You have arrested an innocent woman on the trumped-up charge that she was harbouring me.

I came here to-night to give myself up to justice so that she might be set free." "But the hour is somewhat late, citizen," rejoined Chauvelin urbanely.
"The lady in whom you take so fervent an interest is no doubt asleep in her cell at this hour.

It would not be fitting to disturb her now.
She might not find shelter before morning, and the weather is quite exceptionally unpropitious." "Then, sir," said Armand, a little bewildered, "am I to understand that if I hold myself at your disposition Mademoiselle Lange will be set free as early to-morrow morning as may be ?" "No doubt, sir--no doubt," replied Chauvelin with more than his accustomed blandness; "if you will hold yourself entirely at our disposition, Mademoiselle Lange will be set free to-morrow.

I think that we can safely promise that, citizen Heron, can we not ?" he added, turning to his colleague.
But Heron, overcome with the stress of emotions, could only murmur vague, unintelligible words.
"Your word on that, citizen Chauvelin ?" asked Armand.
"My word on it an you will accept it." "No, I will not do that.

Give me an unconditional certificate of safety and I will believe you." "Of what use were that to you ?" asked Chauvelin.
"I believe my capture to be of more importance to you than that of Mademoiselle Lange," said Armand quietly.
"I will use the certificate of safety for myself or one of my friends if you break your word to me anent Mademoiselle Lange." "H'm! the reasoning is not illogical, citizen," said Chauvelin, whilst a curious smile played round the corners of his thin lips.