crupper of each of their horses. Three
trips would therefore bring the whole. It was agreed to send all the
servants, whose curiosity might be troublesome, to Troyes to see the
shows. Catherine, Marthe, and Durieu, who could be relied on, stayed
at home in charge of the house. The other servants were glad of their
holiday and started by daybreak. Gothard, assisted by Michu, saddled the
horses as soon as they were gone, and the party started by way of the
gardens to reach the forest. Just as they were mounting--for the park
gate was so low on the garden side that they led their horses until they
were through it--old Beauvisage, the farmer at Bellache, happened to
pass.

"There!" cried Gothard, "I hear some one."

"Oh, it is only I," said the worthy man, coming toward them. "Your
servant, gentleman; are you off hunting, in spite of the new decrees?
_I_ don't complain of you; but do take care! though you have friends you
have also enemies."

"Oh, as for that," said the elder Hauteserre, smiling, "God grant that
our hunt may be lucky to-day,--if so, you will get your masters back
again."

These words, to which events were destined to give a totally different
meaning, earned a severe look from Laurence. The elder Simeuse was
confident that Malin would restore Gondreville for an indemnity. These
rash youths were determined to do exactly the contrary of what the
Marquis de Chargeboeuf had advised. Robert, who shared these hopes, was
thinking of them when he gave utterance to the fatal words.

"Not a word of this, old friend," said Michu to Beauvisage, waiting
behind the others to lock the gate.

It was one of those fine mornings in March when the air is dry, the
earth pure, the sky clear, and the atmosphere a contradiction to the
leafless trees; the season was so mild that the eye caught glimpses here
and there of verdure.

"We are seeking treasure when all the while you are the real treasure of
our house, cousin," said the elder Simeuse, gaily.

Laurence was in front, with a cousin on each side of her. The
d'Hauteserres were behind, followed by Michu. Gothard had gone forward
to clear the way.

"Now that our fortune is restored, you must marry my brother," said the
younger in a low voice. "He adores you; together you will be as rich as
nobles ought to be in these days."

"No, give the whole fortune to him and I will marry you," said Laurence;
"I am rich enough for two."

"So be it," cried the Marquis; "I will