I cannot see inside that
carriage; but I look at the box-seat, and recognize on it the old
man Dubois. He whirls by in a cloud of dust, but I am certain of
him; and I say to myself what I now say again to you, no time is
to be lost!"
"No time _shall_ be lost," answers, Trudaine, firmly. "Three
years have passed," he continued, in a lower voice, speaking to
himself rather than to Lomaque; "three years since the day when I
led my sister out of the gates of the prison--three years since I
said in my heart, 'I will be patient, and will not seek to avenge
myself. Our wrongs cry from earth to heaven; from man who
inflicts to God who redresses. When the day of reckoning comes,
let it be the day of his vengeance, not of mine.' In my heart I
said those words--I have been true to them--I have waited. The
day has come, and the duty it demands of me shall be fulfilled."
There was a moment's silence before Lomaque spoke again. "Your
sister?" he began, hesitatingly.
"It is there only that my purpose falters," said the other,
earnestly. "If it were but possible to spare her all knowledge of
this last trial, and to leave the accomplishment of the terrible
task to me alone?"
"I think it is possible," interposed Lomaque. "Listen to what I
advise. We must depart for Paris by the diligence to-morrow
morning, and we must take your sister with us--to-morrow will be
time enough; people don't sign marriage-contracts on the evening
after a long day's journey.
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