He therefore allowed Sir John to drive away without giving any sign of his own proximity.
As for Charlotte, she did not seem in the least surprised that Michel was not there to open the gate.

Evidently they were accustomed to his absences, and they did not disturb either the mistress or the maid.
For the rest, Roland knew his sister well enough to understand this indifference.

Amelie, feeble under a moral suffering wholly unsuspected by Roland, who attributed to simple nervous crises the fluctuations of his sister's character, Amelie was strong and brave before real danger.
That was no doubt why she felt no fear about remaining with Charlotte alone in the lonely house, without other protection than that afforded by the two gardeners, who spent their nights in poaching.
As for ourselves, we know that Michel and his son did really serve their mistress' desire more in absenting themselves thus frequently from the chateau than in staying [near] it.

Their absence left the coast clear for Morgan, [and that] was all Amelie really cared about.
That evening and part of the night went by without bringing Roland any news.

He tried to sleep, but succeeded ill.