“At last,” said the colonel. “I rejoice for you!”
“Thank you. But let us first resolve your affairs.”
“Yes, there must be a solution,” Elizabeth said.
“There is no solution,” replied the colonel, and began to gather the papers he had cast upon the floor, all save the letter and its translation, which he placed in the pocket of his coat.
“Pray, cousin, hear the lady. Her mind is most discerning.”
“I must see her,” the colonel said, as though he heard nothing.
“You shall see her, but now let us listen to what Elizabeth has to say.”
“No one needs to know why we came,” Elizabeth said. “We could depart this evening, leaving Fitzwilliam’s men to guard the ladies until you speak with your General. To all appearances, they might be your own men.”
“She is right! You will lay before the General a case of treachery. With dignity and honour, yet with much sorrow, since it touches upon Miss Henry’s aunt. At present, you know not how far Miss Henry is entangled, nor is it your charge to determine it. You consign the affair to those who may bring it to light and preserve England from a disastrous leakage of intelligence.”
“It feels dishonourable not to mention you.”
“No, we are but an unimportant instrument; what matters here is your resolve to inform your general, in spite of this dreadful circumstance, when your betrothed is concerned. What matters is that you are a patriot, blameless in this design, ready to sacrifice the lady whom you love to save England,” Elizabeth replied with fervour, and Darcy inclined his head.
“Only at fault for being deceived by a woman—the old tale that men never learn.”
“Yes, but the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland cares nothing for such weakness. It cares only for treason. Even if you had erred carnally, you are still a spotless officer, ready to serve his country and his king,” said Darcy with solemn conviction.
“Regent,” added Elizabeth with a touch of humour, and at once the heavy air of misery began to disperse. “Fitzwilliam is right. You will expose a vile conspiracy, and you are willing tohazard your honour to reveal the truth. Once the Frenchman is seized, I am persuaded more will be discovered.”
“My God,” the colonel cried, “arrested—she will be arrested.”
“Yes, most probably. Yet I believe the guilt will fall upon Mrs Avery and her parents, since the papers were found in Mrs Avery’s room,” Darcy sought to comfort him.
“Depart. Go to your General, return with soldiers. When you come back, we shall be gone. You may say that friends brought you intelligence concerning her family.”
“I would like to save her,” he murmured. “She is not wicked, only shaped by this wretched family.”
“You may be right; yet it is better not to see her again. Leave it to the General to decide.”
The colonel hid his face in his hands, then looked at Darcy. “It is torment indeed to be betrayed by the woman one loves.”
“I can well imagine it,” Darcy said.
“They may tell lies about me.”
“Yes, but your superiors will believe you—a gentleman of an ancient English family, and an officer without stain,” Elizabeth said.
“Yes, once more the lady is right. They will trust you.”
They rose, and, in a sudden impulse, the colonel clasped Elizabeth in his arms. “Thank you, dear cousin. Thank you!”
“You must rather thank her sister, Miss Mary. But I trust you will not do so in the same manner. She is a shy young lady.”
With this almost playful remark, they parted. The colonel took the papers and even the bottle of perfume and hurried away. Still, first, he summoned his aide and ordered that they should remain to watch over the two ladies until his return.
“Permit them no conversation together, and be vigilant. They are dangerous persons.”
Then he mounted his horse and vanished into the darkness.
Chapter 20
