"Marguerite, what folly!" cried Aline, and Madelon nodded her head.
"It's a beautiful plan!" exclaimed Mr. Desmond. He had his betrothed's hand in his once more, and was kissing it unrebuked. "My dear, we were made for each other, for it's a scheme after my own heart! Madame, my cousin, will you come with us?"
"Oh, yes, as chaperon, and then we needn't bother about getting married," said Marguerite, kissing her.
"That's not what I meant at all," observed Mr. Desmond reproachfully, and Aline was obliged to laugh.
"No, no, ma mie; not even to keep you out of so mad a scrape," she said, and Madelon nodded again.
"No, no," she echoed. "That would be a pretty state of affairs. There is Citizen Dangeau to be thought of. Deputies' wives must not emigrate."
Aline drew away from Marguerite, and caught Madelon by the arm.
"What's to be done?" she asked.
"Why, let them go."
"But the plan 's sheer folly."