Monsieur Plessis and family were gone to Havre for a day or two, to make some purchases; thus, only Madame Coulancourt, her son and daughter, and Lieutenant Thornton, remained in the château with their domestics and Rose. They were planning their intended project of escaping into Flanders, and thence to England; but our hero thought that mode of getting out of France hazardous in the extreme. “I was conversing with Julian last night upon this subject,” he observed, “and we both agreed that our flight could much more easily be contrived by sea.” “By sea!” repeated mother and daughter, “how procure a vessel? and where embark? we should be detected at once, at any port in France.” “I have a bold project in my head,” said the English lieutenant; “we have hitherto escaped all suspicion; even Monsieur Gramont is growing polite and affable, and pays you every attention.” “Ah!” said Mabel, shaking her head, “I strongly doubt his politeness; there is something working in his brain, I am sure. I have caught his eye fixed upon you several times with a very meaning glance.” The young man smiled, and looking affectionately at Mabel, said— “If he had any suspicion he would never have allowed all this time to elapse without acting. However, I will tell you how Julian and I have thought of proceeding. The Vengeance privateer is almost ready for sea. She is repaired, and all nearly complete, lying at anchor in a pool in the creek; and, from what Rose Moret heard her brother-in-law say, it is her captain’s intention, in a week or so, to take her round to Havre for stores.” “But, dear William,” observed Mabel, anxiously, “the idea of you and Julian seizing this privateer with her crew on board is surely only an imaginary project?” “No, dearest, we are not so mad as that,” said Lieutenant Thornton, with a smile. “You must hear me out. Captain O’Loughlin is still on the coast with the Onyx corvette. Rose says her brother in his lugger passed within hail of the Onyx the day before yesterday. Now, Julian and I purpose to go to-morrow to Lyon Head, and have a look-out, and to repeat our visit every day till we are able to make a signal to the corvette. If we fail in establishing communication with her, of course our project falls to the ground, for three persons could never dream of capturing the Vengeance. To signal the Onyx is worth the trial, however.” “Well,” said Madame Coulancourt, after a moment’s thought, “I do think William’s project has a chance of success; though all depends on being able, as he says, of communicating with the corvette.” “Then supposing you do communicate with Captain O’Loughlin,” said Mabel, anxiously, “how would you proceed?”