"I have been speaking to Maît Jacques," she replied.
"The whole time."
"Yes, all the time."
"Only to him?"
"Yes, to him alone."
Mr. Rougeant was satisfied. The idea of disbelieving his daughter never entered his head. He knew she would never debase herself by uttering a falsehood, and he quietly resumed his work. Then, after a few minutes of silence, he turned again to her: "Is Jacques gone?" he enquired.
"I do not know," she replied.
"Well run and see, and, if he is not, tell him to come and speak to me."
An anxious look passed over Adèle's face. Fortunately, she was able to slip out of the room before her father noticed it.
"He wants to question him," she said to herself; "I shall have to warn him. My father is almost sure to find him out. Oh! I do hope that he is gone." She approached the stable, where Jacques usually spent his last half-hour. She went towards the door, opened it and called out: "Jacques."