"In the name of heaven!" he said, "I adjure you to tell me who you are. Are you—is it possible—can you be my Louise!"
"No, Mr Bullion," replied Miss Lucretia, lifting up the veil, and turning round to the trembling old man. "And I must say I'm considerably surprised to find you in a situation like this."
"And you, madam—yourself—how came you here?"
"A young gentleman—nobleman, I should say—ran off with me here, and I expected him every minute when you came in."
"And Louise?" inquired the father, in an agitated voice—"when did you leave her? Oh! my folly to let her a moment out of my sight!—to reject Cecil Hope!—to bedizen myself in this ridiculous fashion! Where, oh where is Louise?"
"Here, sir," exclaimed that lady, coming forward from behind the window-curtain.
"And safe? Ah! but I need not ask. I see two honest Englishmen by your side."
"And one of them, sir, says he'll never leave it," said Louise.
"Stop a moment," replied the marquis. "Ho! gentlemen, come in."
At his request his companions entered the room.