r Dutheil suddenly
startled Veronique with a priestly glance.

"Do you regret nothing in Limoges?" he asked her.

"Nothing, now that you are leaving it; and monsieur," she added, smiling
at Grossetete, who was bidding her adieu, "will seldom be there."

The bishop accompanied Madame Graslin as far as Montegnac.

"I ought to walk this road in sackcloth and ashes," she said in her
mother's ear as they went on foot up the steep slope of Saint-Leonard.

The old woman put her finger on her lips and glanced at the bishop, who
was looking at the child with terrible attention. This gesture, and the
luminous look in the prelate's eyes, sent a shudder through Veronique's
body. At the aspect of the vast plains stretching their gray expanse
before Montegnac the fire died out of her eyes, and an infinite sadness
overcame her. Presently she saw the village rector coming to meet her,
and together they returned to the carriage.

"There is your domain, madame," said Monsieur Bonnet, extending his hand
toward the barren plain.

A few moments more, and the village of Montegnac, with its hill, on
which the newly erected buildings struck the eye, came in sight, gilded
by the setting sun, and full of the poesy born of the contrast between
the beautiful spot and the surrounding barrenness, in which it lay
like an oasis in the desert. Madame Graslin's eyes filled suddenly with
tears. The rector called her attention to a broad white line like a gash
on the mountain side.

"See what my parishioners have done to testify their gratitude to the
lady of the manor," he said, pointing to the line, which was really a
road; "we can now drive up to the chateau. This piece of road has been
made by them without costing you a penny, and two months hence we shall
plant it with trees. Monseigneur will understand what trouble and care
and devotion were needed to accomplish such a change."

"Is it possible they have done that?" said the bishop.

"Without accepting any payment for their work, Monseigneur. The poorest
put their hands into it, knowing that it would bring a mother among
them."

At the foot of the hill the travellers saw the whole population of the
neighborhood, who were lighting fire-boxes and discharging a few guns;
then two of the prettiest of the village girls, dressed in white, came
forward to offer Madame Graslin flowers and fruit.

"To be thus received in this village!" she exclaimed, grasping the
rector's hand as if she stood o