y mind, it fixed itself
there, and soon developed into a resolution. I felt surprised that it
had not occurred to me earlier, and decided to put it into execution
that very day. I knew that Kondje-Gul would follow me, for we had often
cherished the idea of taking a journey together alone, and I had
promised her we would carry it out some day. In order to assure our
successful escape, I resolved to give her no notice beforehand, lest she
should let it out to her mother.

It was necessary, however, to provide for the consequences of this
disappearance, and the gossip which would inevitably result in
connection with it. Well, after a good deal of hesitation, I confided
the whole matter to my uncle.

"You old stupid!" said he to me, "why, I have known all about your
little love-knot for the last six months!"

"What! do you mean to say you knew that Kondje-Gul?--"

"Lord bless you! Don't you suppose that I heard enough from Mohammed to
make me keep my eyes open?"

After I had come to a complete understanding with my uncle, I made my
own arrangements. I was expected to dinner at Kondje's that day. I found
her quite sad; and on the pretext of giving her some distraction, I
ordered the carriage at about half-past eight, as if for a drive to the
Bois. We started off.

As soon as we were alone, she said to me:

"Good gracious, Andre! whatever has been passing between you and my
mother? I am worried to death. She has been talking again to me about my
departure with her, and Fanny believes that she is making her
preparations for it already.--She is going to carry me away."

"All right, never mind her!" I answered with a laugh; "you're out of
danger already."

"How so?"

"I'm taking you away! You won't go back to the house, for we are off to
Fontainebleau, where we shall both of us remain in concealment, while
watching events."

Need I describe to you her joy? In the Champs Elysees we got out, as if
in order to walk, and I sent back the carriage. An hour after this, a
cab set us down at the railway station!

We spent a delightful week in the forest, playing truant. Fanny, who is
a reliable girl, has joined us here. We really had a narrow escape; for
it seems that Madame Murrah had, the very day we made our flight, got
everything planned for leaving the day after. When she found in the
morning that Kondje-Gul was gone, she nearly had a fit. Kiusko came to
the house, being sent for at once; all of which pretty clearl