"Certainly not."
"Thank you; and do not smile at my anxiety to avoid causing Odette any uneasiness."
Odette, meanwhile, was gazing sadly at the sea; suddenly she heard the sound of carriage wheels. It must be Claude! Her heart beat loud and fast. The carriage approached in the moonlight, and Odette shuddered as she recognized him. When the horses were within a few steps, she called, "Stop!" in such a tone of command that, involuntarily, the driver drew rein. Then advancing to the astonished Claude, she said, "It is I!"
"You!"
He left the carriage; the driver, turning around, drove off.
They were alone. Nothing but the sea and the rocks to listen to their words.
"Did your step-son give you the name of the young lady he is to marry?"
"No; he seemed to prefer waiting until he was sure of her consent."
"She is before you!"