"That is what I do not know, and it frightens me a little," said Hélène.
"Frightened here with me!"
"Yes, Angelot!" She tried to speak, but he would hardly let her. She held him back with both hands, and went on hurriedly—"It was mamma's look—she looked at me so strangely, she spoke severely, as if I had done wrong, and indeed I have, mon Dieu! but she does not know it, and I hope she never may. If she knew, I believe she would kill me. Let me go, I must!"
"One moment, darling! Come away with me! I will fetch a horse and carry you off. Then it won't matter what any one knows!"
"You are distracted!" Hélène began to laugh, though her eyes were full of tears. "Listen, listen," she said. "Your father and mother and uncle were just going, when mamma called them back. She said to papa and them that she wished to consult the family. Oh, what is it all about? What can it be?"
"That matters very little as long as they don't want us. Let them talk. What are you afraid of, my sweet?"
"I can't tell you. I hardly know," murmured Hélène; and in the next instant she had snatched herself from him and flown upstairs.
There were quick steps in the hall below, and Monsieur Joseph's voice was calling "Angelot!"