that,' said
the _pere_, with a significant look, which fortunately was not seen by
mademoiselle.

Confound him, said I to myself; I must try another tack. 'We were
remarking, Pere Jose, as we came along that very picturesque river, the
Chateau de Bouvigne; a fine thing in its time, it must have been.'

'You know the story, I suppose?' said the pere.

'Mademoiselle was relating it to me on the way, and indeed I am most
anxious to hear the denouement.'

'It was a sad one,' said he slowly. 'I'll show you the spot where Henri
fell--the stone that marks the place.'

'Oh, Pere Jose,' said Laura, 'I must stop you--indeed I must--or the
whole interest of my narrative will be ruined. You forget that monsieur
has not heard the tale out.'

'Ah! _ma foi_, I beg pardon--a thousand pardons. Mademoiselle, then,
knows Bouvigne?'

'I 've been here once before, but only part of a morning. I 've seen
nothing but the outer court of the chateau and the _fosse du traitre_.'

'So, so; you know it all, I perceive,' said he, smiling pleasantly. 'Are
you too much fatigued for a walk that far?'

'Shall we have time?' said Laura; 'that's the question.'

'Abundance of time. Jacob can't be here for an hour yet, at soonest. And
if you allow me, I'll give all the necessary directions before we leave,
so that you 'll not be delayed ten minutes on your return.'

While Laura went in search of her hat, I again proffered my thanks to
the kind _pere_ for all his good nature, expressing the strong desire I
felt for some opportunity of requital.

'Be happy,' said the good man, squeezing my hand affectionately; 'that's
the way you can best repay me.'

'It would not be difficult to follow the precept in your society, Pere
Jose,' said I, overcome by the cordiality of the old man's manner.

'I have made a great many so, indeed,' said he. 'The five-and-thirty
years I have lived in Bouvigne have not been without their fruit.'

Laura joined us here, and we took the way together towards the chateau,
the priest discoursing all the way on the memorable features of the
place, its remains of ancient grandeur, and the picturesque beauty of
its site.

As we ascended the steep path which, cut in the solid rock, leads to the
chateau, groups of pretty children came flocking about us, presenting
bouquets for our acceptance, and even scattering flowers in our path.
This simple act of village courtesy struck us both much, and we could
not help feeling touched