She leant forward to peer still further into the darkness, for this sound had seemed so absolutely real, but immediately a detaining hand was place upon her arm and a sarcastic voice murmured at her elbow: "The result, fair lady, would only be a broken leg or arm; the height is not great enough for picturesque suicides, and believe me these ramparts are only haunted by ghosts." She drew back as if a viper had stung her; for the moment she had become oblivious of Chauvelin's presence.

However, she would not take notice of his taunt, and, after a slight pause, he asked her if she could hear the town crier over in the public streets.
"Yes," she replied.
"What he says at this present moment is of vast importance to your ladyship," he remarked drily.
"How so ?" "Your ladyship is a precious hostage.

We are taking measures to guard our valuable property securely." Marguerite thought of the Abbe Foucquet, who no doubt was still quietly telling his beads, even if in his heart he had begun to wonder what had become of her.

She thought of Francois, who was the breadwinner, and of Felicite, who was blind.
"Methinks you and your colleagues have done that already," she said.
"Not as completely as we would wish.

We know the daring of the Scarlet Pimpernel.