No, he would make a decent exit, in triumph
or defeat, to honour the woman who was standing his friend. Let them,
the British Government at Quebec, proceed against him; he would have only
one trouble to meet, one to leave behind. He would not load this girl
with shame as well as sorrow. Her love itself was affliction enough to
her. This adventure was serious; a bullet might drop him; the law might
remove him: so he would leave here at once.
He was about to open the window, when he heard a door shut below, and the
thud of heavy steps outside the house. Drawing back, he waited until he
heard the foot of Elise upon the stair. She came in without a light, and
at first did not see him. He heard her gasp. Stepping forward a little,
he said:
"I am here, Elise. Come."
She trembled as she came. "Oh, monsieur--your Excellency!" she
whispered; "oh, you cannot go down, for my mother sits ill by the fire.
You cannot go out that way."
He took both her hands. "No matter. Poor child, you are trembling!
Come."
He drew her towards the couch. She shrank back. "Oh no, monsieur, oh--
I die of shame!"
"There is no need, Elise," he answered gently, and he sat on the edge of
the couch, and drew her to his side. "Let us say good-night."
She grew very still, and he felt her move towards him, as she divined his
purpose, and knew that this room of hers would have no shadow in it to-
morrow, and her soul no unpardonable sin.
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