‘You are fortunate that this opportunity has arisen at all, mademoiselle,’ said he, lifting an eyebrow. ‘It was only through happenstance that Monsieur Égalité encountered Monsieur Valentin at the Café de Chartres. In the course of conversation, this gentleman mentioned that he was to visit his sister in Sèvres the following day. Monsieur Valentin is master of the orchestra at the Théâtre de la République. Monsieur Égalité is greatly fond of him and had been a . . . particular acquaintance of his sister when she used to sing at the theatre. Valentin is very much in his debt.’

I curtseyed to Romain.

‘I am most grateful to Monsieur Égalité.’

‘Monsieur Valentin has agreed for you to accompany him and his daughters in his coach. He will escort you as far as Meudon. You must prepare for departure at nine o’clock.’

‘Dear Romain—’ I began to gush with gratitude, before he interrupted.

‘Mademoiselle, permit me to say to you this: it is necessary at this time to take precautions with all things. It will behove you not to make any mention of your true destination, nor of the person whom you propose to visit. Monsieur Égalité informs me that Madame Elliot’s sympathies are notorious in her district. Though there has been no proof of it, she has been rumoured to have given shelter to returned émigrés and counter-revolutionaries. Anyone who is found to be visiting her will come under equal suspicion. You are to travel as a guest of Monsieur Valentin, and he will describe you as such to the guards at the barriers and any soldiers with whom you may have the misfortune to meet. Do you take my meaning, mademoiselle?’

I nodded.

He studied me for a moment.

‘Monsieur Égalité also bid me to remind you of the dangers upon the road. You have read of these barbarities? Anyone whom the soldiers or the people suspect of being a counter-revolutionary is likely to be robbed, beaten or murdered. These are not idle servants’ tales, so take care not to dismiss them as such. The newspapers are filled with such stories as ladies forced to endure the ripping of earrings from their lobes and gentlemen suffering their fingers to be sliced from their hands for the rings upon them. Pay heed, mademoiselle, and travel safely. That is what Monsieur Égalité wishes most for you.’