But the mental conflict from
which he rose had shaken him so violently that he could not recall the
side on which he had entered the clearing, and he turned himself about,
endeavouring to remember. At that moment the light jingle of a bridle
struck his ear; he caught through the green bushes the flash and sparkle
of harness. They had tracked him then, they were here! So had he clear
proof that this second chance was to be his. In a happy fervour he stood
forward where the pursuers could not fail to see him.
Or so he thought. Yet the first horseman, riding carelessly with his
face averted and his feet dangling, would have gone by and seen nothing
if his horse, more watchful, had not shied. The man turned then; and for
a moment the two stared at one another between the pricked ears of the
horse. At last--
"M. de Tignonville!" the minister ejaculated.
"La Tribe!"
"It is truly you?"
"Well--I think so," the young man answered.
The minister lifted up his eyes and seemed to call the trees and the
clouds and the birds to witness.
"Now," he cried, "I know that I am chosen! And that we were instruments
to do this thing from the day when the hen saved us in the haycart in
Paris! Now I know that all is forgiven and all is ordained, and that the
faithful of Angers shall to-morrow live and not die!" And with a face
radiant, yet solemn, he walked to the young man's stirrup.
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