hen they find them. To end Brigaut's history on this point, we
will say here that by the end of the month he was made foreman, and was
fed and lodged by Frappier, who taught him arithmetic and line drawing.
The house and shop were in the Grand'Rue, not a hundred feet from the
little square where Pierrette lived.

Brigaut buried his love in his heart and committed no imprudence. He
made Madame Frappier tell him all she knew about the Rogrons. Among
other things, she related to him the way in which their father had laid
hands on the property of old Auffray, Pierrette's grandfather. Brigaut
obtained other information as to the character of the brother and
sister. He met Pierrette sometimes in the market with her cousin,
and shuddered to see the heavy basket she was carrying on her arm. On
Sundays he went to church to look for her, dressed in her best
clothes. There, for the first time, he became aware that Pierrette was
Mademoiselle Lorrain. Pierrette saw him and made him a hasty sign to
keep out of sight. To him, there was a world of things in that little
gesture, as there had been, a fortnight earlier, in the sign by which
she told him from her window to run away. Ah! what a fortune he must
make in the coming ten years in order to marry his little friend, to
whom, he was told, the Rogrons were to leave their house, a hundred
acres of land, and twelve thousand francs a year, not counting their
savings!

The persevering Breton was determined to be thoroughly educated for his
trade, and he set about acquiring all the knowledge that he lacked. As
long as only the principles of his work were concerned he could learn
those in Provins as well as in Paris, and thus remain near Pierrette,
to whom he now became anxious to explain his projects and the sort of
protection she could rely on from him. He was determined to know the
reason of her pallor, and of the debility which was beginning to appear
in the organ which is always the last to show the signs of failing life,
namely the eyes; he would know, too, the cause of the sufferings which
gave her that look as though death were near and she might drop at any
moment beneath its scythe. The two signs, the two gestures--not denying
their friendship but imploring caution--alarmed the young Breton.
Evidently Pierrette wished him to wait and not attempt to see her;
otherwise there was danger, there was peril for her. As she left the
church she was able to give him one look, and Brigaut