ey are. I have
never seen them."

"But often men are false and evil," said the other, in a sweet, low
voice.

"Nonsense!" said the first, impatiently. "I had rather elope with
a one-legged hostler than always live in these woods."

"Louison! You ought to cross yourself and repeat a Hail Mary."

"Thanks! I have tried prayer. It is n't what I need. I am no nun
like you. My dear sister, don't you ever long for the love of a
man--a big, handsome, hearty fellow who could take you up in his
arms and squeeze the life out of you?"

"Eh bien," said the other, with a sigh, "I suppose it is very nice.
I do not dare to think of it."

"Nice! It is heaven, Louise! And to see a man like that and not
be permitted to--to speak to him! Think of it! A young and
handsome man--the first I have seen for a year! Honestly I could
poison the colonel."

"My dear, it is the count as much as the colonel. She is under his
orders, and he has an eagle eye."

"The old monkey! He enrages me! I could rend him limb from limb!"

I could not help hearing what they said, but I did not think it
quite fair to share their confidence any further, so I went to one
of the windows and closed a shutter noisily. The voices must have
come from a little balcony just under my room.

"My dear sister, you are very terrible," said one of them, and then
the shutter came to, and I heard no more.

A full moon lighted the darkness. A little lake gleamed like
silver between the tree-tops. Worn out with hard travel, I fell
into bed shortly, and lay a long time thinking of those young
ladies, of the past, of to-morrow and its perils, and of the
farther future. A new life had begun for me.

VII

The sun was lifting above the tree-tops when the count's valet
called me that morning at the Chateau Le Ray. Robins were calling
under my windows, and the groves rang with tournaments of happy
song. Of that dinner-party only the count was at breakfast with
me. We ate hurriedly, and when we had risen the horses were at the
door. As to my own, a tall chestnut thoroughbred that Mr. Parish
had brought over from England, I never saw him in finer fettle. I
started Seth by Caraway Pike for Ogdensburg with the count's
message.

Mine host laid hold of my elbow and gave it a good shake as I left
him, with D'ri, taking a trail that led north by west in the deep
woods. They had stuffed our saddle-bags with a plenty for man and
horse.

I could not