She entreated Peter to be brief in explaining the danger with which she was threatened. If you'll let me go on my own way, Ma'am, you'll soon know it; but if you hurry me, and ask me questions here and there, out of their places, I don't know what I am saying. Be it so, said Adeline; only, remember that we may be observed. Yes. Ma'mselle, I'm as much afraid of that as you are, for I believe I should be almost as ill off; however, that is neither here nor there, but I'm sure if you stay in this old abbey another night it will be worse for you; for, as I said before, I know all about it. What mean you, Peter? Why, about this scheme that's going on. What then, is my father----?--Your father! interrupted Peter; Lord bless you, that is all fudge, to frighten you: your father, _nor nobody_ else has ever sent after you; I dare say he knows no more of you than the Pope does--not he. Adeline looked displeased. You trifle, said she; if you have any thing to tell, say it quickly; I am in haste. Bless you, young lady, I meant no harm, I hope you're not angry; but I'm sure you can't deny that your father is cruel. But as I was saying, the Marquis de Montalt likes you; and he and my master (Peter looked round) have been laying their heads together about you. Adeline turned pale; she comprehended a part of the truth, and eagerly entreated him to proceed. They have been laying their heads together about you. This is what Jaques the Marquis's man tells me: Says he, Peter, you little know what is going on: I could tell all if I chose it; but it is not for those who are trusted to tell again. I warrant now your master is close enough with you. Upon which I was piqued, and resolved to make him believe I could be trusted as well as he. Perhaps not says I; perhaps I know as much as you, though I do not choose to brag on't; and I winked.--Do you so? says he, then you are closer than I thought for. She is a fine girl, says he,--meaning you Ma'mselle; but she is nothing but a poor foundling after all, so it does not much signify. I had a mind to know further what he meant--so I did not knock him down. By seeming to know as much as he, I at last made him discover all; and he told me--but you look pale, Ma'mselle, are you ill? No, said Adeline in a tremulous accent, and scarcely able to support herself; pray proceed. And he told me that the Marquis had been courting you a good while, but you would not listen to him, and had even pretended he would marry you, and all would not do. As for marriage, says I, I suppose she knows the Marchioness is alive; and I'm sure she is not one for his turn upon other terms. The Marchioness is really living then! said Adeline. O yes, Ma'mselle! we all know that, and I thought you had known it too.--We shall see that, replies Jaques; at least, I believe that our master will outwit her.--I stared; I could not help it.--Aye, says he, you know your master has agreed to give her up to my Lord.