"Thou wilt see," was her only reply; and the two sat down together inthe porch to await the lovers' return. Hour after hour passed; evenJeanne began to grow alarmed. It was long after midnight.

"I fear some accident hath befallen them," she exclaimed at last. "Would itbe well, thinkest thou, to go in search of them?"

"Not a step!" cried Victor. "He took her away, and he must needs bringher back. We await them here. He shall look at whether he may tamper withthe granddaughter of Victor Dubois."

"Hush, father!" said Jeanne, "here they come."

Walking quite slowly, arm in arm, came Willan and Victorine. They hadevidently no purpose of entering the house clandestinely, but wereapproaching the front door.