ased by the hunters. But neither shame nor
despair were in her face.

"Your master wishes to speak to you," said he, his eyes fixed on her
features.

"My master!" she exclaimed fiercely; "that man is no master of mine, and
he never shall be. You, Germain, you are my master. I want you to take
me home with you. I will be your servant for nothing."

The farmer advanced, feigning impatience. "Little girl," said he, "you
left something behind at the farm, which I am bringing back to you."

"No, you are not, sir," answered little Marie. "I did n't forget
anything, and I have nothing to ask of you."

"Listen a moment," returned the farmer. "It 's I who have something to
tell you. Come with me. Don't be afraid. It's only a word or two."

"You may say them aloud. I have no secrets with you."

"At any rate, do take your money."

"My money? You owe me nothing, thank God!"

"I suspected as much," said Germain under his breath, "but I don't care,
Marie. Listen to what he has to say to you, for--I am curious to know.
You can tell me afterward. Go up to his horse. I shall not lose sight of
you."

Marie took three steps toward the farmer. He bent over the pommel of his
saddle, and lowering his voice he said:

"Little girl, here is a bright golden louis for you. Don't say anything
about it; do you hear? I shall say that I found you too frail to work
on my farm. There will be no more talk about that. I shall be passing by
your house one of these days; and if you have not said anything, I will
give you something more; and then if you are more sensible, you have
only to speak. I will take you home with me, or I will come at dusk and
talk with you in the meadows. What present would you like me to bring
you?"

"Here, sir, is the present I have for you," answered little Marie,
aloud, as she threw the golden louis in his face with all her might. "I
thank you heartily, and I beg that if you come anywhere near our house,
you will be good enough to let me know. All the boys in the neighborhood
will go out to welcome you, because, where I live, we are very fond of
gentlemen who try to make love to poor girls. You shall see. They will
be on the lookout for you."

"You lie with your dirty tongue," cried the farmer, raising his stick
with a dangerous air. "You wish to make people believe what is not so,
but you shall never get a penny out of me. We know what kind of a girl
you are."

Marie drew back, frightened, and Germain sprang