field-path to the paddock where she had so often played. Here a
couple of huge dogs dashed forward with an explosion of barks,
dying away into low growls as she spoke to them by their names, and
called aloud on 'Blaise!' and 'Mere Perrine!' The cottage door was
opened, the light streamed forth, and a man's head in a broad had
appeared. 'Veronique, girl, is this an hour to be gadding abroad?'

'Blaise, do you not know me?'

'It is our Lady. Ah!'

The next moment the wanderer was seated in the ample wooden chair
of the head of the family, the farmer and his two stout sons
standing before her as their liege Lady, and Mere Perrine hanging
over her, in great anxiety, not wholly dispelled by her low girlish
laugh, partly of exultation at her successful evasion, partly of
amusement at their wonder, and partly, too, because it was so
natural to her to enjoy herself at that hearth that she could not
help it. A savoury mess from the great caldron that was for ever
stewing over the fire was at once fished out for her, before she
was allowed to explain herself; and as she ate with the carved
spoon and from the earthenware crock that had been called
Mademoiselle's ever since her baby-days, Perrine chafed and warmed
her feet, fondled her, and assured her, as if she were still their
spoiled child, that they would do all she wished.

Pierre and Tiennot, the two sons, were sent out to fodder the
cattle, and keep careful watch for any sounds of pursuers from the
convent; and Blaise, in the plenitude of his respects and
deference, would have followed them, but Eustacie desired him to