ach you----"

But these protestations, far from reassuring Mme. Blanche, made her
still more suspicious,

"All this is very well, Father Chupin," she said, dryly, "but what are
you going to do now to repair your negligence?"

"What do I intend to do?" he exclaimed, feigning the most violent
anger. "Oh! you will see. I will prove that no one can deceive me with
impunity. Near the Borderie is a small grove. I shall station myself
there; and may the devil seize me if a cat enters that house unbeknown
to me."

Mme. Blanche drew her purse from her pocket, and taking out three louis,
she gave them to Chupin, saying:

"Take these, and be more careful in future. Another blunder like this,
and I shall be compelled to ask the aid of some other person."

The old poacher went away, whistling quite reassured; but he was wrong.
The lady's generosity was only intended to allay his suspicions.

And why should she not suppose he had betrayed her--this miserable
wretch, who made it his business to betray others? What reason had she
for placing any confidence in his reports? She paid him! Others, by
paying him more, would certainly have the preference!

But how could she ascertain what she wished to know? Ah! she saw but one
way--a very disagreeable, but a sure way. She, herself, would play the
spy.

This idea took such possession of her mind that, after dinner was
concluded, and twilight had enveloped the earth in a mantle of gray, she
summoned Aunt Medea.

"Get your cloak, quickly, aunt," she commanded. "I am going for a walk,
and you must accompany me."

Aunt Medea extended her hand to the bell-rope, but her niece stopped
her.

"You will dispense with the services of your maid," said she. "I do not
wish anyone in the chateau to know that we have gone out."

"Are we going alone?"

"Alone."

"Alone, and on foot, at night----"

"I am in a hurry, aunt," interrupted Blanche, "and I am waiting for
you."

In the twinkling of an eye Aunt Medea was ready.

The marquis had just been put to bed, the servants were at dinner, and
Blanche and Aunt Medea reached the little gate leading from the garden
into the open fields without being observed.

"Good heavens! Where are we going?" groaned Aunt Medea.

"What is that to you? Come!"

Mme. Blanche was going to the Borderie.

She could have followed the banks of the Oiselle, but she preferred
to cut across the fields, thinking she would be less likely to meet
someone.

Th