"My father had no doubt received a warning of what was about to happen, and yesterday at noon he requested me to ride to his estate and have an interview with the steward as to the rents.

I wondered at his sending me so suddenly, and, feeling uneasy, rode there post-haste, saw the steward last night, and started again on a fresh horse this morning.
This accounts for it.

He knew that if I were there nothing would have induced me to separate myself from him, while by sending me away he left it to me to do as I thought fit afterwards, trusting that when I found that he was already imprisoned I might follow the counsel he had urged upon me, to make my escape from the country.
And how about the ladies, how about Marie ?" "The marquise was conveyed to prison with the marquis.

The three young ladies are all safe with their mother's old servant, Louise Moulin; this is her address.

They are in disguise as peasants, and no suspicion will, I hope, arise as to their real position.