better loosen the rope himself.

This Pierre would not listen to; said his courage might fail him; then
pleaded his age, failing strength, and many other things; finally, he
said, he would not do it, adding, "One would think I wanted the girl for
my wife; no, do thy own business unless thou art very anxious to give
Marguerite to this fine soldier. I warrant me that will be the end of
it."

"Father Pierre, thou well know'st I would sooner die a thousand times
than _he_ should have her, so I will do the thing myself; but how shall
I give reason for my presence here? Marguerite, for days, even weeks
past, has been looking at me with suspicion in her eyes, as though she
divined my thoughts towards that lover of hers?"

"Leave all to me. Can I not have whom I like in my own house? I see
that though thou may'st not dread other things, thou art well
frightened at a woman's looks. Well, well, there's something in that,
too."

"Yes, Father Pierre, there is; much sometimes."

"But leave looks to mind themselves now, and I will show you what to do,
and where to go. You can well be in the room behind the granary, as one
or two of the rafters need mending. Let Marguerite see you leave your
work and start for home; then when she goes to show her light say 'All
is well,' thou can'st come back and be ready for the bird with his
bright plumage. Ha! he would go elsewhere and pipe his song, did he know
the manner in which we are preparing his perch!"

"That is all well; the popinjay can't escape us now."

"Come in, Jacques, and have some breakfast with us; I think I hear
Marguerite busy at it now."

"Marguerite will not have a welcome for me, I know; but as she is to be
my wife, she may as well get used to my presence now."

When they entered Marguerite turned round wondering who could be with
her Father at such an early hour. On seeing who it was, her face
clouded, and she immediately experienced that same feeling of fear come
over her as she always had of late when she saw her Father and Jacques
Gaultier together. She said "good morning" to them, and then resumed the
preparation for the morning meal. Jacques' dark eyes followed her all
about the room; doubtless he was thinking of the time when she would be
performing the same duties under his roof, while she--Well, we will not
penetrate into her thoughts; no doubt she would prefer keeping them to
herself, so we will let her, in the certainty that the train of thought
was ver