In the singer she had recognised her husband.
Chauvelin, too, had heard it, for he darted a quick glance towards the
door, then hurriedly took up his broad-brimmed hat and clapped it over
his head.
The voice drew nearer; for one brief second the wild desire
seized Marguerite to rush down the steps and fly across the room, to
stop that song at any cost, to beg the cheerful singer to fly--fly for
his life, before it be too late. She checked the impulse just in
time. Chauvelin would stop her before she reached the door, and,
moreover, she had no idea if he had any soldiers posted within his
call. Her impetuous act might prove the death-signal of the man she
would have died to save.
"Long reign over us, God save the King!"
sang the voice more lustily than ever. The next moment the door was
thrown open and there was dead silence for a second or so.
Marguerite could not see the door; she held her breath, trying
to imagine what was happening.
Percy Blakeney on entering had, of course, at once caught
sight of the CURE at the table; his hesitation lasted less than five
seconds, the next moment, Marguerite saw his tall figure crossing the
room, whilst he called in a loud, cheerful voice,--
"Hello, there! no one about? Where's that fool Brogard?"
He wore the magnificent coat and riding-suit which he had on
when Marguerite last saw him at Richmond, so many hours ago.
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