“Et quelle aventure!” exclaimed Celestine, anew.
None knew better than Lady Hester the significant depreciation of the Frenchwoman's phrase, and how differently had she rated all the hazards of the enterprise if any compromise of character were to have followed it. However, it was no time for discussion, and she let it pass.
“If he should have missed the way, and not be able to find us!” she said, after another pause.
“We shall be found dead in the morning,” cried Celestine; “et pour quelle a venture, mon Dieu, pour quelle aventure!”
The possibility that her fears suggested, and the increasing severity of the storm for now the thunder rolled overhead, and the very ground seemed to shake with the reverberation served to alarm Lady Hester, and for the first time she became frightened at their situation.
“We could scarcely find our way back, Celestine!” said she, rather in the tone of one asking for comfort than putting a question.
“Impossible, miladi.”
“And Gregoire says that these houses are all uninhabited.”
“Quelle aventure!” sobbed the maid.
“What can have become of him? It is more than an hour now! What was that, Ce'lestine? was it lightning? there, don't you see it yonder, towards the end of the street? I declare it is Gregoire; I see the lantern.”