So shouting, the child darted from the cottage, paying no heed to
Victorine's entreaties to allow the matter to take its course, for enough
strife was likely to ensue, and nearly knocking down D'Elsac in her
eagerness, she ran down the village street, and the next minute was out
of sight. For a moment, or more, her uncle remained still at the door
reflecting upon what had passed between the sisters; then, anxious to
know what the worthy Salenciens were about, he stepped into the cottage
to learn particulars from his niece.

Victorine was seated beside a table, on which lay her needlework, yet
untouched; she had covered her face with her hands, and it was evident by
her manner she was feeling deeply. The step of D'Elsac roused her, and,
looking up, the tear was visible in her eye, she brushed it away hastily,
as she rose to receive her visitor, and offering him a chair, she begged
him to rest till her parents returned.

"You cannot know me, Victorine," he said, embracing her, "but I am your
uncle, D'Elsac, and I am come to Salency to see my sister and her family.
It is many years, my child, since we met, but tell me where are my sister
and her husband? Where are Caliste and Lisette? or whither has little
Mimi run in such haste?"

"Is it possible," enquired Victorine, "that you do not know the fete of
St. Medard is approaching, uncle Dorsain? It is well you asked _me_ the
cause why our village is deserted to all appearance to-day, had you asked
any other Salencien, I really do not know what they would have thought of
you."

Victorine spoke playfully, and D'Elsac feared not to acknowledge his
ignorance. "Remember," he said, "that I have only once before been at
Salency, and that was but for a day. Tell me then, dear niece, what it
is I ought to know before my sister returns."

Victorine smiled, as she answered, "Well, uncle, I will repeat to you, as
nearly as I can, the words of Monsieur Le Prieur when speaking on this
subject:--'Twelve centuries ago, the proprietor of Salency was named
Medard, whose good conduct was so renowned, that on his death he was
beatified. St. Medard was a native of Salency, and being a great admirer
of all that was good in others as well as in himself, he appointed a day
of festival, the 8th of June, being his own birthday, on which that young
girl, who was most remarkable for good conduct, modesty, and wisdom in
Salency, should receive from the judge of the district a rose or crown