"'What would you have had me do, mademoiselle? I could not—threaten your papa, could I?'
"'No, of course not. Well, Monsieur Gabriel, as he looks upon you as a schoolboy, you must show him that you're a man. You must—you must—run off with me.'
"'Run off with you!'
"Gabriel was paralyzed; but I, afraid of nothing, and having no comprehension of the importance of my projected action, continued:
"'Mon Dieu! Monsieur Gabriel, you seem dumfounded. However, it's a very simple matter. You carry me off—that is to say, I run away—to-night, after dinner. No one suspects anything, and it will be easy enough for me to do it. You must be waiting for me at the corner, wrapped in a cloak—do you hear? You must have a cloak,—no one ever abducts a girl without that,—and a broad-brimmed hat pulled down over your eyes. I will wear a long pelisse and a veil. It will be great fun! You must take me—wherever you choose. Then you can write to my father that I am with you, and he can't help consenting to our marriage; that's the way it always ends.'
"'In that case, mademoiselle, I will run away with you; I should like to.'
"'To-night?'
"'To-night.'
"'I will leave the house at eight o'clock; be on the lookout for me.'
"'I will.'