He looked up at me with a pale face. "I don't know, Monsieur," he answered rapidly; and he looked away again.
"They are below?"
But he was watching too intently to answer, and only shook his head impatiently. I was unwilling to leave my place on the roof, and I called to him to take my compliments to Madame St. Alais and ask her to ascend. It seemed strange that she had not done so, for women are not generally lacking in the desire to see.
But the man was too frightened to think of any one but himself--I fancy he was one of the cooks--and he did not move; while his companions only cried: "Presently, presently, Monsieur!"
At that, however, I lost my temper; and, going to the ladder, I ran down it, and strode towards them. "You rascals!" I cried. "Where are the ladies?"
One or two turned to me with a start. "Pardon, Monsieur?"
"Where are the ladies?" I repeated impatiently.
"Ah! I did not understand!" the nearest answered glibly. "Gone to the church to pray, Monsieur."
"To the church?"
"To be sure. By the Capuchins."