THERE WAS SUCH a great deal of clamour and confusion. I turned this way and that, searching for him, but a guard came and brusquely pulled me from the dais. I was pushed through the crowd and beyond the doors and made to scrawl my name upon a ledger. The clerk nodded at me. ‘You are at liberty, mademoiselle.’

I did not linger another moment, but passed into the public hall. Still awash with tears, I hunted for the figure I most hoped to find. There were many in this room, spectators and clerks and grieving friends, but he was not among them. It was then I heard a familiar cry.

Imagine my delight at beholding my devoted Lucy come to fling herself into my arms! How we wept together, maid and mistress, like two sisters. For among all the women in whom I had placed my trust, there had been not one who had proven themselves truer to me than her. I was incapable of speech, and she was so overcome with relief on my behalf that we clung to one another for a good while. When at last we gained command of our senses and our sobs dried into laughter, Lucy blurted her news to me.

‘I am to be married, madam,’ she exclaimed. ‘Madame Vernet’s brother has asked for my hand.’ She then explained that he was a traiteur upon the rue de Richelieu and she had been given work at his establishment.

I congratulated her but lamented that she was not in possession of a dowry.

Lucy paid me a proud look and whispered that it was no matter, for she was already with child. ‘I have learned enough of the male sex to understand how I might make what I want from this life,’ she stated with a firm expression.

No sooner had she made this revelation to me than I became aware of a presence nearby. From the corner of my eye I spied a young man lingering, wishing to catch my notice. I turned and met his gaze, at which point he came forward, pressed a note into my hand and scampered away.

I examined the small packet and then exchanged a look with Lucy. It was in Allenham’s hand.

‘Make haste to Les Trois Pièces, a café in a passage that runs off the rue de la Harpe. I would urge you to take the greatest precautions and to proceed unaccompanied. Enquire there for Citizen Labroux.’

I did not for one instant hesitate but, after bidding dear Lucy farewell, set out for this place on foot.