Marguerite felt herself entangled in one of those webs, from which she could hope for no escape.
A precious hostage was being held for her obedience: for she knew that this man would never make an empty threat.

No doubt Armand was already signalled to the Committee of Public Safety as one of the "suspect"; he would not be allowed to leave France again, and would be ruthlessly struck, if she refused to obey Chauvelin.

For a moment--woman-like--she still hoped to temporise.

She held out her hand to this man, whom she now feared and hated.
"If I promise to help you in this matter, Chauvelin," she said pleasantly, "will you give me that letter of St.Just's ?" "If you render me useful service to-night, citoyenne," he replied with a sarcastic smile, "I will give you that letter.

.