She was still sitting there, when at last her husband came down the
stairs to open the outer door of the Temple, conduct his friends
past the inner court, and to bring back the two officials who were
to keep guard during the night.
They passed the knitter with a friendly salutation and a bit of
pleasantry--Toulan stopping a moment to ask the woman after her
welfare, and to say a few smooth words to her about her courage and
her great force of character.
She listened quietly, let him go on with his talk, and when he had
ended, slowly raised her great eyes from her knitting to him.
"You are a traitor," she said, with coldness, and without any
agitation. "Yes, you are a traitor, and you, too, will have your
turn at the guillotine!"
Toulan paled a little, but collected himself immediately, took leave
of the knitter with a smile, and hastened after the officials, who
were waiting for him at the open door--the two who were to hold the
watch during the night having already entered.
Simon closed the door after them, exchanged a few words with them,
and then went into his lodge to join his rigid better half.
"This has been a pleasant afternoon, and it is a great pity that it
is gone, for I have had a very good time. We have played cards,
sung, smoked, and Toulan has made jokes and told stories, and made
much fun.
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