" Adele at last," said the woman, going a few yards down
the passage and pulling a handle. " But for her tardiness,
monsieur, you would not be standing here. Neither king nor
pope would have tempted me to admit you. But as I say, it is
done, and you may as well now see all I can show you. Bii reste,
you are welcome."



SEVERE LECTURE. 417

The little door in the gate had opened, and in stepped
Mademoiselle Adele the delinquent, who closed the door
sharply and advanced up the terrace, a basket on her arm.
On catching sight of us, she seemed to take in the situation
of affairs intuitively ; suddenly stood still as though her feet
had become glued to the ground; then putting down her basket,
fled down a side path as though a demon incarnate had been in
pursuit.
" Adele ! " cried the woman in a voice that corresponded
with her height and strength. " Adele ! come here. Of what
are you thinking ? "

The girl arrested her flying footsteps and turned.
" I am going for Paul," she called out.
" Come here at once and let Paul alone. Concern yourself
with your own affairs. If I want Paul I can summon him
without your help."

Slowly the girl turned up the path, took up her basket and
passed in looking almost frightened to death.
" You may well look frightened," said the woman severely.
" If you had come back at your time and not stayed to gossip, I
should not have admitted these gentlemen. But having done
so, go about your business, and leave the matter to me. Now,
monsieur, I will show you some of the rooms of the chateau.
