"Maud! Maud! Soon it will be no longer safe for us to remain here!"
"God be praised!" answered the old woman, having raised a vague glance upon the scene. "He gives the victory unto his saints; it is he who has cast both horse and rider into the sea!"
"She is madder than ever," thought Esther; "this night has quite unseated her reason.—And Mons. Lebeau does not return!"
What was to be done? What resolution ought to be taken?
The circumstances which had led her into this perilous situation passed swiftly through her mind. When she had placed her hand in that of the unknown who had pronounced the preconcerted signal,—"The moon has risen!"—she immediately experienced a sense of regret at her fault; but this regret had not been sufficiently potent to arrest in time the accomplishment of her resolution. She permitted herself to be conducted to the door where the sedan-chair awaited her.
"No!" she then exclaimed, "this is enough! I will go no farther!"
"This is no time for discussion," replied an imperious voice which was not Lord Mowbray's; "get into the chair, quick!"
The thought of Frank, whom she was now certain she loved since jealousy had cast its unerring ray into the depths of her heart—this thought tortured her.