"If you had let me know, it is I who would have gone somewhere, near by, to have seen you!" was the troubled reply. "His Excellency—what would he say if he knew? Pierre Laroche, who has been called friend of privateersmen, perhaps even of the Black Seigneur, himself! I should have gone to his Excellency at once and asked if he objected, only you begged me not, and—"
"Were you so anxious to be rid of me?" quickly.
"I shouldn't speak as I do now, perhaps, only—"
"Only?"
"Your conduct, since you have been here—"
"What do you mean?" The other's tone had a sudden defiant ring.
"It is not seemly for a girl of your age and condition to be out alone so late, nights!"
"I just went down into the town to get something," was the careless response, "and the sands looked so attractive—"
"That's no excuse! And now," the old nurse's voice showed a trace of embarrassment, "we've had our visit, and you had better carry out your plan of going to Paris."
"You want me to leave here—at once?" The girl drew her breath sharply.