"This is no time for discussion," replied an imperious voice which was not Lord Mowbray's; "get into the chair, quick!" The thought of Frank, whom she was now certain she loved since jealousy had cast its unerring ray into the depths of her heart--this thought tortured her. "I am lost!" she cried, "lost!" "On the contrary, you are saved!" And with the words ringing in her ears the chair started. The men almost ran with it, the result of the masked personage having said something to them about "paying double." In less than a quarter of an hour the chair stopped in an alley-way off Holborn, and the gentleman, conducting the fugitive into one of the houses, dismissed the bearers. When at last they were alone in the chamber upon the second floor and the man had succeeded in lighting a candle upon the mantelpiece, Esther easily recognized him. "Mons. Lebeau!" she gasped in surprise. "Yes," he replied, "and you are out of all danger here, absolute mistress of your destiny, since all that I wish is to offer you some respectful advice." "But how could you have known? How could you take the place of another?" "That is my secret--at least for the present. It is enough that I have succeeded. One word which has escaped you has led me to believe that you will not blame me for my intervention. I await the assurance with anxiety. Have I been in the wrong to act as I have?" "No," she answered after a moment's hesitation, "and I thank you. I do not love Lord Mowbray, and my folly was as inexcusable as it has been without consolation." An expression of joy illumined Lebeau's withered features. "Good!" he said. "But what motive has led you astray for the moment?" "Vanity. Lord Mowbray assured me that he wished to make me his wife." "His wife! He never dreamed of doing such a thing! Moreover, such a marriage would have been impossible. But let us speak no more about it." "Are you not going to take me back to my aunt, whom I left in such a ridiculous predicament, and who must be dying with anxiety about me?" "The predicament of which you speak must have soon terminated; and as for her anxiety, it is my duty not to disturb it for the present. Lord Mowbray has sworn that, by consent or force, he would abduct you this night, and I am not sure that you would be safe in the house in Tothill Fields, where there is no one to defend you, not even your cousin Reuben. These are my humble lodgings, although none of my acquaintances know of its existence nor the way thither. Rest here for a few hours. To-morrow, by daylight, we will consider the situation. Be very sure that Mrs. Marsham will raise no objection, will address you no shadow of reproach. Your fault will not transpire, since I will tell her that it was I who brought you here to save you from the peril which menaced your honor." "She knows you, then?" "Very well indeed." "For some time?" "For a very long time." After a brief pause he added,--