Angela spoke: "My lord, I come to say to your grace that my lady retired not feeling very well; but she is asleep now."
"All is in our favor, sir," said the colonel, in a low voice to Croustillac. "Madame the duchess is asleep; you can depart without her knowing anything about it."
Angela, who had approached, said with a frightened manner, and retreating a few steps, "Heavens! your grace is not alone, then?"
"My lord," said the colonel, "if she gives a cry it is all over with you."
"Do not be afraid, Mirette," said the chevalier; "while you were with my wife this gentleman arrived; he came from Fort Royal on pressing business; it is necessary that I should accompany him back."
"So late, my lord, but you must not think of it! I will go and inform madame."
"No! no! I forbid it; but I shall have need at once of the negro fishermen and their canoe; go and notify them."
"But, my lord——"
"Obey."
"That is not hard; to-morrow morning they fish in the open sea; the negroes must be nearly ready to go; in order to be before dawn at the Creek of Caymans, where their boat is moored."