It is terrible for me to be sitting here, in a theatre, all safe and in peace, whilst he is in such peril." "Lud, Madame!" said honest, bluff Lady Portarles, "your sitting in a convent won't make your husband safe, and you have your children to consider: they are too young to be dosed with anxiety and premature mourning." The Comtesse smiled through her tears at the vehemence of her friend.
Lady Portarles, whose voice and manner would not have misfitted a jockey, had a heart of gold, and hid the most genuine sympathy and most gentle kindliness, beneath the somewhat coarse manners affected by some ladies at that time.
"Besides which, Madame," added Lord Grenville, "did you not tell me yesterday that the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel had pledged their honour to bring M.le Comte safely across the Channel ?" "Ah, yes!" replied the Comtesse, "and that is my only hope.

I saw Lord Hastings yesterday.

.

.

he reassured me again." "Then I am sure you need have no fear.