Book-bot.com - read famous books online for free

The Chaplet of Pearls by Charlotte Mary Yonge
page 248 of 671 (36%)
'It must be M. le Chevalier returning. Madame must wait a little
longer. I must be at home, or they may send out to seek me here,
and that would be ruin. I will return as soon as it is safe, if
Madame will hide herself in the hedgerow.'

Into the hedgerow accordingly crept Eustacie, cowering close to a
holly-tree at the very summit of the bank, and led by a strange
fascination to choose a spot where, unseen herself, she could gaze
down on the party who came clanking along the hollow road beneath.
Nearer, nearer, they came; and she shuddered with more of passion
than of fear, as she beheld, not only her uncle in his best well-
preserved green suit, but Narcisse, muddy with riding, though in
his court braveries. Suddenly they came to a halt close beneath
her! Was she detected? Ah! just below was the spot where the road
to the convent parted from the road to the farm; and, as Martin had
apprehended, they were stopping for him. The Chevalier ordered one
of the armed men behind him to ride up to the farm and summon
Martin to speak with him; and then he and his son, while waiting
under the holly-bush, continued their conversation.

'So that is the state of things! A fine overthrow!' quoth
Narcisse.

'Bah! not at all. She will soon be in our hands again. I have
spoken with, or written to, every governor of the cities she must
pass through, and not one will abet the little runaway. At the
first barrier she is ours.'

'_Et puis_?'

DigitalOcean Referral Badge