n hour before daybreak next morning, fed the cattle,
and attended quietly to the house-affairs. Once she looked up with pain
when it occurred to her that she had not hummed a single tune. She went
into the field.

[Illustration: Crescence with a bundle of fresh clover on her head.]

With a bundle of fresh clover on her head, she came up the valley on
her return, looking beautiful, as the healthful exercise brought out
her fine form in all its strength and pliancy. With her right hand she
held the bundle, and with her left the rake, which lay on her shoulder
and also served to steady the load. She walked with leisurely and
measured pace, the red blossoms blinking into her rosy face. Not far
from Jacob's crucifix, the voice of Florian, who said, "God bless you,
Crescence!" rooted her to the earth.

"Come," said Florian, again; "I'll carry it for you."

"For pity's sake, don't make me stop here, Florian, when all the people
are looking at us. You see I can't help myself now, and can't run away,
but I'll never speak a word to you again as long as I live if you don't
go away. Come to Melchior's Lenore to-night before curfew, and I'll
tell you every thing."

"Shake hands, won't you?"

Laying her left arm across the rake, Crescence took his hand, saying,
"Good-bye till to-night."

All at once, in resuming her steps, Crescence perceived what a heavy
load she had to carry: she groaned as if Firnut Pete had clambered on
her shoulders in broad daylight. Having reached the crucifix, she
deposited the burden on the high stone erected there for that purpose.
This silent assistant is always found beside the symbol of faith. At
the feet of Him who laid the heaviest burden on himself to make men
free and brotherly, men take off a while the load of the day, to gather
strength for further toil.

Crescence looked intently at the crucifix, but without thinking of what
she did; for her mind was occupied with dread of Florian's following
her. She determined not to turn round to look at him, and did turn,
nevertheless; while a glow of pleasure lighted her face as she saw the
brisk young fellow striding across the field.

All that day Crescence was serious and taciturn. Before dark, she took
a collar, to get Walpurgia to wash it, as she said; but, instead of
going to Walpurgia, she hurried to Lenore's house. The latter came to
meet her, saying,--

"Go through the barn: you'll find him in the garden."

"Come with me," said Crescenc