In the Name of Liberty

, and that limit she had overstepped. He washed his hands of her. So, having decided-irrevocably decided-that Nicole had removed herself from any interest

in the passageway the morning after h

Louison cried. "No luck this mo

of the question

opened her eyes

o with Nicole," he replied c

flower

oute is dangerous a

ngly dan

better acc

nk you

eted by the slamming of opening shutters, and escaping the clouds of dust

, and how goes

affected

t serious with

," he answered, resolv

passion, violent and sacred!" She added, with a f

cour

now

imagi

of me when it's serious. This time, though, there is no cause. I shall not interfere." She

r nothing-or m

and forth. "Let us talk of other things

t with tents. Masses of red and pink, of white and yellow

a tent, where the swinging sign-board bore the name la Mère Boboche, she crie

eye, and recognizing a daily opponent

e brought your muscadin. You can pay well to

uison said coldly, tur

e at her counter. "Isn't he handsome, though, her

r this chaffing, was about to interpose when a s

ty! Allons, la mère, it's t

s let loose at each othe

o the evi

old hen, wh

ter of

he

pos

outcry, selected her flo

ones and I am done

press of the main alley, once or twice w

was swung face to face with her protector, her eyes matching

oyen; your a

p that flamed in the black, sinewy wave of her hair. She was dressed in a yellow bodice, falling to a short skirt of light-blue fustian. The ankles thus revealed were shapely, and attracted the

head to send him a smile over her shoulder. Occasionally she fro

of expression: mobile, flexible, obeying the capricious thought. The eyes more than ever arrested his attention

ou look a

on at his elbow, her purchase ma

ly. "There is something about y

ook he

Besides-

e to Nicole," he said, with a smile. "You

blushing. Instead, she discovered a row

ll." Before he could reply, she

ive or-six was sitting, carding a wig. Despite the difference of ages, Barabant

orning,

ched them started back, as though from a feeling

mother, we can't stop." She turned in perfect good humor to

as much struck at her philosophic at

eeth and clicked it. "She has never been willing to tell me his nam

curiously how long

ful scene at home,-I don't know what,-and all at once h

fi

know our Paris. She married soon after; perhaps it was for that, but I think not." She was silent

d y

asant abode?" She made a wry face. "There are rats; you don't get much sleep. Then it smells bad

did yo

m family to family. I was well treated. They gave me a crust or a bone, and let me crawl into a corner at night. Of course I worked. It was interesting!" She wove the flowers deftly into cockades, tak

times?" Barabant asked the question not w

just as good. They are all afraid of my temper, and there is no protection like that." She rose, having finished the cockades, and face

t," Barabant sai

to see?" she ask

en by the sheer power of her will she banished the blood from her face. The lips closed in a thin, cruel line, the nostrils dilated,

deousness of wrath to a look of amusement, and Louison, again erec

but it was a cold constraint; she was still pale from the force of the emotion

abant cried, finding his

erve that for my enemies. I

, amused at

ith me only as far as the Seine. A companion such as you, yo

asket, which she transferred to

, as they neared the wig-maker's. "Let'

nd, with a gleam of mi

Follow me. I'll

who, after the first quick glance, abas

orning,

nued silently t

on't answer? Good-by, then." Louison turned as though to le

house; while in her eyes was the wild light of abject terror. Then perceiving by Louison's mocki

erplexed, remained fa

, thoughtfully, "extraordina

f the scene sank into his mind, and with it a si