But Chanlouineau did not follow them to the spot which they had
considered best adapted to the prolonged defence; he called Maurice and
drew him a little aside.
"You, Monsieur d'Escorval," he said, almost roughly, "are going to leave
here and at once."
"I--I came here, Chanlouineau, as you did, to do my duty."
"Your duty, Monsieur, is to serve Marie-Anne. Go at once, and take her
with you."
"I shall remain," said Maurice, firmly.
He was going to join his comrades when Chanlouineau stopped him.
"You have no right to sacrifice your life here," he said, quietly. "Your
life belongs to the woman who has given herself to you."
"Wretch! how dare you!"
Chanlouineau sadly shook his head.
"What is the use of denying it?" said he.
"It was so great a temptation that only an angel could have resisted
it. It was not your fault, nor was it hers. Lacheneur was a bad father.
There was a day when I wished either to kill myself or to kill you, I
knew not which. Ah! only once again will you be as near death as you
were that day.
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