His brother caught hold of the back of a chair to support himself, and his lips moved, but no sound came.
“Yes, I can recollect it all clearly now,” panted Leslie. “You must know!”
And he told them all.
They heard him in silence, devouring his words, and from time to time exchanging a hurried glance of inquiry.
“Bah!” ejaculated Uncle Luke, as the young man finished. Then, changing his manner, “Yes, of course. There, lie back, my lad, and tell us again after you’ve had a rest.”
“No, no,” cried Leslie passionately, “it is wasting time. She was forced to go. She was imploring him to let her stay when I came in, and they must be miles away by now. For Heaven’s sake do something before it is too late.”
“A Frenchman?” said Uncle Luke eagerly.
“Yes; he spoke to her in French, as well as in English.”
“And did my niece speak to him in French?”
“No; she was appealing to him in English, but he spoke at times in French.”