It is
growing late. If we are to get out of this shambles we should be
wise to take the road without more delay."
It was a tonic as effective as it was necessary. It startled them
into remembrance of their circumstances, and under the spur of it
they went at once to make their preparations.
They left him for perhaps a quarter of an hour, to pace that long
room alone, saved only from impatience by the turmoil of his mind.
When at length they returned, they were accompanied by a tall man
in a full-skirted shaggy greatcoat and a broad hat the brim of
which was turned down all around. He remained respectfully by the
door in the shadows.
Between them the two women had concerted it thus, or rather the
Countess had so concerted it when Aline had warned her that
Andre-Louis' bitter hostility towards the Marquis made it
unthinkable that he should move a finger consciously to save him.
Now despite the close friendship uniting M. de Kercadiou and his
niece with Mme. de Plougastel, there were several matters concerning
them of which the Countess was in ignorance.
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