see that the
laws are regarded between the Count and his people, that is all. Come!
While your daughter puts on her gayest ribbon, I will go round, and see
about these pigeons."

Marie had no gay ribbon to put on, though she must go immediately with
her father before the Count. It was the bailiffs errand to say this.
While she made herself as neat as she could, and her father was called
in from the field (to which he had gone straight from the ponds, because
he knew there was no meal ready for him at home), the bailiff examined
the premises, followed at a distance by the boys, in terror for their
rabbit-hutch. Of course, the rabbits were found; and of course, they
were carried off. Robin rolled upon the ground in his grief, and Marc
looked as if his heart was bursting. The bailiff was so sorry for what
he felt it his duty to do, that against all rule he offered the boys one
young rabbit and one young pigeon to keep. At first, these were
accepted; but Robin was sure that Marc's rabbit would pine alone; and
Marc was certain Robin's pigeon could never live solitary; and they gave
up these last remains of their treasures. To do it with a good grace
was more than they were equal to; and when Marie and her father set off
for the chateau, they left the boys crying bitterly.

It did not make Marie the more easy to see her lover skulking at a
distance, all the way they went. The bailiff was close at hand; and she
believed that his quick eyes would note all Charles's doings. Every
time he spoke, which he did frequently and civilly, she dreaded his
asking what business that man had, watching them from under the shade of
the wood; but each time she was relieved by hearing some question or
remark about the reception of the Dauphiness in the village. She had to
say all that must be said to the bailiff; for her father was busy
thinking. He was glad when they were left alone, so that he could tell
Marie what was in his mind. There was time enough to do this. When the
great iron gates of the avenue closed behind them, the bailiff told them
to go straight on by the broad road. He was going by a side path, but
would meet them farther on, and take them to the Count.

This was the opportunity Randolphe wanted, to tell his daughter that he
thought it best now to ask the Count's consent to her marriage with
Charles, formally and properly. Marie trembled, and grew sick at heart
as she heard this, and implored her father not t