"'Dame! you didn't tell me——'
"'Great heaven! must I tell you everything?'
"We halted in front of a furnished lodging house in the heart of the town, into which my abductor escorted me. I considered that very unromantic; I had flattered myself that I was to be spirited away to some venerable château, or to some village inn, where there would be robbers, or, at all events, very dark passages. Instead of that, we were shown into a pleasant, well-lighted room, where a table was laid, but in which there was nothing to suggest that we were to pass the night there. I said nothing, but it seemed strange to me. When we were left alone, Gabriel, who had removed his cloak and his plebeian hat, began to play with his cane.
"'Mademoiselle Frédérique,' he said,'do you like roast duck with olives?'
"You cannot conceive the impression produced upon me by that question, at a moment when I expected my lover to throw himself at my feet with passionate protestations of love.
"'Was it to feed me on roast duck with olives that you eloped with me, monsieur?' I demanded angrily.
"'No, mademoiselle; but we must eat. They won't take us in here unless we order supper; and while we're waiting for them to come for you——'
"'To come for me! Who, pray?'
"'Why, your papa.'
"'My father come here for me! Who can have told him that I am here?'