"Why did he go away in such haste?"
"You are too curious."
Then, looking hard at her, "Perhaps he thought, like the good Duchess, that your weakness was serious, and that all his little arrangements were going to fall through."
"I understand that the Duchess cared, since the election of her son is at stake, but the Duke, how would it affect him?"
Albert sitting opposite her in the carriage, looked her full in the face.
"Perhaps he will never find another opportunity to pay his court to you."
"Whew, that is straightforward bluntness for you!" thought Maurice.
Esperance grew red. The recollection of what had happened began to come back little by little. She closed her eyes to be able to think more clearly. Albert left her in her silence a minute, then he said, "We had planned to carry you away to-day, but you heard what the Duchess said just now. I feel bound by the confidence of that old friend to remain. My fate is in your pretty hands. Be circumspect with the Duke. Frank, and loyal with your fiancé."
And he took her hands, in a long kiss.
The coachman was told to turn around, for it was getting late. The horses set off at a trot.