Ah! if I was not so afraid of him, wouldn't I leave him at once?
But he is capable of killing me!" The girl vainly tried to defend Noel; but her mistress did not listen.
She murmured, "Why does he absent himself, and what is he plotting?
An absence of eight days is suspicious.

Can he by any chance intend to be married?
Ah! if I only knew.

You weary me to death, my good Noel, and I am determined to leave you to yourself one of these fine mornings; but I cannot permit you to quit me first.

Supposing he is going to get married?
But I will not allow it.

I must make inquiries." Noel, however, was not listening at the door.