"I had no thought of drawing back. At the appointed hour, I stole out of the house, wrapped in my pelisse, with a veil over my face, carrying a small bundle, in which, I remember, I had put a ball dress, a pair of bracelets, a package of candy, a toothbrush, three pairs of gloves, two cakes of chocolate, a fan, and a shoehorn. "I found Gabriel waiting for me. The poor fellow was trembling much more than I was; he had the conventional cloak, but his head was almost invisible in an enormous hat like those worn by the porters at the market; it crushed him, made him look small and insignificant, and was not at all the style of headgear that I had hoped to see on my abductor. And, to cap the climax, he still carried in his right hand that miserable switch which had already caused me so much vexation of spirit. "He came to meet me, and stammered something or other. I took possession of his arm, saying: "'Let us make haste, we may be followed. Where's the post chaise?' "'The post chaise? There isn't any. You didn't mention a post chaise.' "'I thought that you would understand that. Where are you going to take me, then?' "'Oh! never fear! I have engaged a lodging. Come.' "I followed where he led. But I could not help saying to him: "'That's a horribly ugly hat!' "'Why, mademoiselle, it has a turned-down brim.' "'So I see! but it's too much of a good thing. You ought to have a hat such as they wore under Louis XIII, with a feather curled round it. You look like a miller.' "'_Dame!_ you didn't tell me----' "'Great heaven! must I tell you everything?' "We halted in front of a furnished lodging house in the heart of the town, into which my abductor escorted me. I considered that very unromantic; I had flattered myself that I was to be spirited away to some venerable château, or to some village inn, where there would be robbers, or, at all events, very dark passages. Instead of that, we were shown into a pleasant, well-lighted room, where a table was laid, but in which there was nothing to suggest that we were to pass the night there. I said nothing, but it seemed strange to me. When we were left alone, Gabriel, who had removed his cloak and his plebeian hat, began to play with his cane. "'Mademoiselle Frédérique,' he said,'do you like roast duck with olives?' "You cannot conceive the impression produced upon me by that question, at a moment when I expected my lover to throw himself at my feet with passionate protestations of love. "'Was it to feed me on roast duck with olives that you eloped with me, monsieur?' I demanded angrily. "'No, mademoiselle; but we must eat. They won't take us in here unless we order supper; and while we're waiting for them to come for you----' "'To come for me! Who, pray?' "'Why, your papa.' "'My father come here for me! Who can have told him that I am here?' "'Why, I did.' "'You? What do you mean? You bring me to this hotel, to conceal me, and you send word to my father!'