He must decide and act without delay.
The abbe was a brave man.

He darted to the door, and called the servants who were standing in the hall and on the staircase.
When they were gathered around him: "Listen to me, intently," said he, in that quick and imperious voice that impresses one with the certainty of approaching peril, "and remember that your master's life depends, perhaps, upon your discretion.
We can rely upon you, can we not ?" Every hand was raised as if to call upon God to witness their fidelity.
"In less than an hour," continued the priest, "the soldiers sent in pursuit of the fugitives will be here.

Not a word must be uttered in regard to what has passed this evening.

Everyone must be led to suppose that I went away with the baron and returned alone.

Not one of you must have seen Mademoiselle Lacheneur.