“It is lucky that they are in there, instead of cruising outside, as usual.  I suppose they saw the gale coming, and ran in for a quiet night.”

The forts were now hard at work, and the balls fell thickly around.  One or two went through the sails, but none touched her hull or spars, and in another ten minutes she was so far away that the forts ceased firing.

By this time, however, the chasse marees were under full sail, and were rapidly following in pursuit.  La Belle Jeanne had, however, a start of fully a mile and a half.

“How do those craft sail with yours?” Rupert asked.

“In ordinary weather the ‘Jeanne’ could beat them, though they are fast boats; but they are heavier than we are, and can carry their sail longer; besides, our being underhanded is against us.  It will be a close race, monsieur.  It will be too rough when we are fairly out for them to use their guns.  But the best thing that can happen for us is that there may be an English cruiser not far off.  I must have the hands up, and take in some sail; she will go just as fast, for she has too much on to be doing her best now we are in the open sea.

“Now, gentlemen, I advise you to lie down for an hour or two.  I will call you if they gain much upon us.”

It was morning before the voyagers awoke, and made their way on deck.  They looked round, but no sail was in sight, only an expanse of foaming sea and driving cloud.  The captain was on deck.

“I suspect they have given it up and run back,” he said; “and no fools either.  It is not weather for anyone to be out who has a choice in the matter.  But the ‘Jeanne’ is a good sea boat, and has been out in worse weather than this.  Not but that it is a big gale, but it is from the north, and the land shelters us a bit.  If it keeps on like this, I shall lie-to a few hours.  The sea will be tremendous when we get beyond Ushant.”

For three days the gale blew furiously, and the “Jeanne” lay-to.  Then the storm broke, and the wind veered round to the south, and La Belle Jeanne flew along on her way towards England.

It was at a point on the Hampshire coast, near Lymington, that she was to run her cargo; and on the fifth day after leaving the river she was within sight of land.  They lowered their sails, and lay a few miles off land until nightfall, and then ran in again.  Two lights on the shore, one above the other, told that the coast was clear; and the boats were quickly lowered.  The marquis, who had come well provided with gold to meet all emergencies, handed over to Maitre Nicolay fifty pounds over the sum agreed on, and in a few minutes the travellers set foot on shore.

Six days later, a post chaise brought them to the door of Windthorpe Chace, where Madame Holliday and the colonel stood on the steps to welcome Rupert’s future wife.  The very day after their return, Rupert mooted to the marquis the subject of an early marriage, but the latter said at once: