Page:Hope-indiscretions of duchess.djvu/38

26 Suddenly there was a commotion outside; the girls were talking to one another in rapid eager tones. The duchess raised her head, listening. Then she turned to me, asking:

“Can you hear what they say?”

“I can distinguish nothing except ‘Quick, quick!’”

As I spoke the door was thrown open, and two rushed in, the foremost saying:

“Again, madame, again!”

“Impossible!” exclaimed the duchess, starting up.

“No, it is true. Jean was out, snaring a rabbit, and caught sight of the carriage.”

“What carriage? Whose carriage?” I asked.

“Why, my husband’s,” said the duchess, quite calmly. “It is a favorite trick of his to surprise us. But Algeria! We thought we were safe with Algeria. He must travel underground like a mole, Suzanne, or we should have heard.”

“Oh, one hears nothing here!”

“And what,” said the duchess, “are we to do with Mr. Aycon?”

“I can solve that,” I observed. “I’m off.”

“But he’ll see you!” cried the girl. “He is but a half-mile off.”

“Mr. Aycon could take the side-path,” said the duchess.

“The duke would see him before he reached it,” said the girl. “He would be in sight for nearly fifty yards.”

“Couldn’t I hide in the bushes?” I asked.