woman--not that she was so very old, but she was small and thin,
with a high white cap and a brown dress fitting closely, which made her
look older than she was--stood by, after she had covered the table with
the provisions, that she might have the pleasure of seeing the boys eat.
They were very willing to give her that pleasure, and set to with a
good appetite.

She smiled benignantly, and patted them on their heads, as she watched
them stowing away the various things. They were not very particular as
to which they took first.

"Bon! bon!" said Jack, every now and then, as he saw that his saying so
pleased her. "Merci! merci!"

She poured them out some wine; it was dreadfully sour, so Bill thought,
and he made signs to her that he would drink it by-and-by, as he did not
like to show her how much he disliked it.

Jack was not so particular, but he was content with a mouthful or two,
and then began again on the sausages and figs.

"I hope she is not going to stop till we have done," said Bill, "or she
may take away the remainder. I'll try and make her understand that we
should like a little more by-and-by. I vote we stop now and put the
things into the basket. We'll then show her that we do not wish her to
take them away."

The kind old housekeeper of the chateau--for such she was--seemed to
understand the boys' wishes. Bill even ventured to say a few words in
French, which would show her what they wanted; and at last, wishing them
good-night, she took her departure.

They heard the door locked and bolted after she went out, as if by some
other person; and it made them fear that a sentry was placed there, who
might, should they make any noise, look in to see what they were about.
It would be necessary, therefore, to be extremely cautious as to their
proceedings.

"There's no one moving," said Bill, who had crept to the door to listen.
He, of course, spoke in a low whisper. "I vote we set to work at once
and make our rope. It will take some time, and we ought to be off as
soon as the people have turned in, as we must try to get a good distance
from the shore before daylight."

"Suppose any one was to come, and find us cutting up our bed-clothes,"
said Jack, "it would be suspected what we were going to do."

"We'll keep the coverlid till the last, so as to throw it over the bed
should we hear a step on the stair; we must then sit down on the edge,
and pretend that we are too sorrowful to think of going