me.

"That is a fair retort. Victor certainly has the grand manner.
However, I shall order him to go; and if he won't obey his father's
wishes, he will have to give way to mine."

"I think, mademoiselle, that it would be wiser for Monsieur de Gisons
to meet you elsewhere than here. The arrival of three relations to
stop with Madame Moulin is sure to attract some little attention
among her neighbours just at first. You will be the subject of talk
and gossip. My visit will no doubt be noticed, and it will be as
well that there should not be more material for talk. The less we
attract attention the better. No doubt many have escaped arrest,
and there will be a sharp look-out, for, as they will call us,
suspicious persons. I should propose, if you have no objection to
such a course, that you should stroll out with your sisters and
Louise through the fields to St. Denis. The count will be in my
room in a few minutes. We can keep a look-out from my window and
follow you at a distance until we get clear from observation beyond
the gates."

Marie looked at Madame Moulin, who nodded.

"That would be the best plan, my dear. What Monsieur Sandwith
says is very true. The less we give the neighbours to gossip about
the better; for though your disguises are good, if sharp eyes are
watching you they may note something in your walk or air that may
excite suspicion."

"That being arranged then you must excuse me, for it is just the
time when the count was to arrive, and I fancy that he will be
before rather than behind time."

Indeed, upon reaching the door of his room Harry found the young
count standing there.

"Oh, it is you, friend Harry! I have been here ten minutes, and I
began to be afraid that something might have happened to you and
to imagine all sorts of things."

"It is still three or four minutes before the time we agreed upon,
Victor," Harry said in a loud voice, for at this moment one of the
other doors opened, and a woman came out with a basket in her arms.

"I have been looking about as usual, but without luck so far. I
suppose you have had no better fortune in your search for work?"
He had by this time unlocked his door, and the two entered together.

"I must call you by your Christian name, count, and will do so, if
you don't mind, when alone as at other times, otherwise the title
might slip out accidentally. Will you, on your part, call me Henri?
As you know the marquis and his family called me Harry,