Veronique, and Veronique's mother, her old nurse Perrine, wife of a
farmer about two miles off. The woman had been Eustacie's
foster-mother, and continued to exert over her much of the
caressing care of a nurse.

After parting with her aunt, Eustacie for a moment looked towards
the chapel, then, clasping her hands, murmured to herself, 'No! no!
speed is my best hope;' and at once mounted the stairs, and entered
a room, where the large stone crucifix, a waxen Madonna, and the
holy water font gave a cell-like aspect to the room; and a straw
pallet covered with sackcloth was on the floor, a richly curtained
couch driven into the rear, as unused.

She knelt for a moment before the Madonna; 'Ave Maria, be with me
and mine. Oh! blessed Lady, thou hadst to fly with thy Holy One
from cruel men. Have thou pity on the fatherless!'

Then going to the door, she clapped her hands; and, as Veronique
entered, she bade her shut and bolt the door, and at the same
moment began in nervous haste to throw off her veil and unfasten
her dress.

'Make haste, Veronique. A dress of thine---'

'All is known, then!' cried Veronique, throwing up her arms.

'No, but he is coming--Narcisse--to marry me at once--_Marde-Gras_-
--'

'_Et quoi_? Madame has but to speak the word, and it is