My ancestors--" "I know the shorter one," put in Juliette, "the passage that leads to the mill.

I can show you the entrance to that, which is in the crypt of the chapel, hidden behind the casks of wine." She spoke to Barebone, only half-concealing, as Marie had done, the fact that the great respect with which the Marquis de Gemosac was treated was artificial, and would fall to pieces under the strain of an emergency--a faint echo of the old regime.
"When you are gone," the girl continued, still addressing Barebone, "Marie and I can keep them out at least an hour--probably more.

We may be able to keep them outside the walls all night, and when at last they come in it will take them hours to satisfy themselves that you are not concealed within the enceinte." She was quite cool, and even smiled at him with a white face.
"You are always right, Mademoiselle, and have a clear head," said Barebone.
"But no heart ?" she answered in an undertone, under cover of her father's endless talk to Colville and with a glance which Barebone could not understand.
In a few minutes Dormer Colville pronounced himself ready to go, and refused to waste further precious minutes in response to Monsieur de Gemosac's offers of hospitality.

No dinner had been prepared, for Marie had sterner business in hand and could be heard beneath the windows urging her husband to display a courage superior to that of a rabbit.
Juliette hurried to the kitchen and there prepared a parcel of cold meat and bread for the fugitives to eat as they fled.
"We might remain hidden in a remote cottage," Barebone had suggested to Colville, "awaiting the development of events, but our best chance is 'The Last Hope.' She is at Bordeaux, and must be nearly ready for sea." So it was hurriedly arranged that they should make their way on foot to a cottage on the marsh while Jean was despatched to Bordeaux with a letter for Captain Clubbe.
"It is a pity," said Marie, when informed of this plan, "that it is not I who wear the breeches.

But I will make it clear to Jean that if he fails to carry out his task he need not show his face at the gate again." The Marquis ran hither and thither, making a hundred suggestions, which were accepted in the soothing manner adopted toward children.