t.

Celestine could supply but little of comfort or consolation, and kept
repeating the words, "Quelle aventure! quelle aventure!" in every
variety of lamentation.

"He could easily have been back by this," said Lady Hester, after a long
pause, and an anxious attention to every sound that might portend his
coming: "I 'm certain it is full half an hour since he left us. What a
night!"

"Et quelle aventure!" exclaimed Celestine, anew.

None knew better than Lady Hester the significant depreciation of the
Frenchwoman's phrase, and how differently had she rated all the hazards
of the enterprise if any compromise of character were to have followed
it. However, it was no time for discussion, and she let it pass.

"If he should have missed the way, and not be able to find us!" she
said, after another pause.

"We shall be found dead in the morning," cried Celestine; "et pour
quelle a venture, mon Dieu, pour quelle aventure!"

The possibility that her fears suggested, and the increasing severity
of the storm for now the thunder rolled overhead, and the very ground
seemed to shake with the reverberation served to alarm Lady Hester, and
for the first time she became frightened at their situation.

"We could scarcely find our way back, Celestine!" said she, rather in
the tone of one asking for comfort than putting a question.

"Impossible, miladi."

"And Gregoire says that these houses are all uninhabited."

"Quelle aventure!" sobbed the maid.

"What can have become of him? It is more than an hour now! What was
that, Ce'lestine? was it lightning? there, don't you see it yonder,
towards the end of the street? I declare it is Gregoire; I see the
lantern."

A cry of joy burst from both together, for already hope had begun to
wane, and a crowd of fearful anticipations had taken its place.

Lady Hester tried to call his name, but the clattering noise of the
storm drowned the weak effort. The light, however, came nearer at
each instant, and there was no longer any doubt of their rescue, when
suddenly it turned and disappeared at an angle of the street. Lady
Hester uttered a piercing cry, and at the instant the lantern was again
seen, showing that the bearer had heard the sounds.

"Here, Gregoire, we are here!" exclaimed she, in her loudest voice, and
speaking in English.

Whoever carried the lantern seemed for a moment uncertain how to act,
for there was no reply, nor any change of position for a few seconds,
when at