The last who did it was Mademoiselle Corday, and she-- In the morning, monsieur, when the Convention sits, you shall deliver your letter; till then, peace and sound repose." And he bowed himself out.
I knew not much of the world, but I knew enough to wish myself out of this rat-trap.

To try to escape just now would, I saw, be futile.

Yet to spend the night there meant, if not murder, at least robbery and pestilence.

A brave face was the only thing to put upon the business, and I followed Citizen Picquot downstairs and called for food and drink, in which I invited not him only but his gossips to join me.
I noticed that the door was carefully locked when any one came in or went out, and that any chance motion of mine in that direction was quickly intercepted.

So the evening wore on, and presently the lights of the cabaret were extinguished, and my host passed me my candle and again bade me good-night.
I went up by no means gaily.