You were going without them some moments ago." And down upon his knees he went, and, taking up the little bag which had been left where he had flung it, he set himself to restore the jewels to it.

She came to his assistance, in spite of his protestations, and so, within a moment or two, the task was completed, and the little treasure was packed away in the bosom of her gown.
"To-morrow," he said, as he took his leave of her at the door, "I shall hope to bring the ci-devant Vicomte to Choisy, and I will see that he is equipped with a laissez-passer that will carry both of you safely out of France." She was beginning to thank him all over again, but he cut her short, and so they parted.
Long after she was gone did he sit at his writing-table, his head in his hands and his eyes staring straight before him.

His face looked grey and haggard; the lines that seared it were lines of pain.
"They say," he murmured once, thinking aloud, as men sometimes will in moments of great stress, "that a good action brings its own reward.
Perhaps my action is not a good one, after all, and that is why I suffer." And, burying his head in his arms, he remained thus with his sorrow until his official entered to inquire if he desired lights..