eur le Marquis," said he,
"I deem it my duty to inform you that Chupin and his sons are searching
for you everywhere. It is at the instance of the duke, your father, who
is anxious for you to repair at once to the Chateau de Courtornieu."

He turned to Chanlouineau, and added:

"We will now proceed on our way."

But Martial detained him with a gesture.

"I am much surprised to hear that they are seeking me," said he. "My
father knows very well where he sent me; I was going to your house,
Monsieur, and at his request."

"To my house?"

"To your house, yes, Monsieur, to express our sincere regret at the
scene which took place at the presbytery last evening."

And without waiting for any response, Martial, with wonderful cleverness
and felicity of expression, began to repeat to the father the story
which he had just related to the daughter.

According to his version, his father and himself were in despair. How
could M. Lacheneur suppose them guilty of such black ingratitude?
Why had he retired so precipitately? The Duc de Sairmeuse held at
M. Lacheneur's disposal any amount which it might please him to
mention--sixty, a hundred thousand francs, even more.

But M. Lacheneur did not appear to be dazzled in the least; and when
Martial had concluded, he replied, respectfully, but coldly, that he
would consider the matter.

This coldness amazed Chanlouineai; he did not conceal the fact when
the marquis, after many earnest protestations, at last wended his way
homeward.

"We have misjudged these people," he declared.

But M. Lacheneur shrugged his shoulders.

"And so you are foolish enough to suppose that it was to me that he
offered all that money?"

"Zounds! I have ears."

"Ah, well! my poor boy, you must not believe all they hear, if you have.
The truth is, that these large sums were intended to win the favor of my
daughter. She has pleased this coxcomb of a marquis; and--he wishes to
make her his mistress----"

Chanlouineau stopped short, with eyes flashing, and hands clinched.

"Good God!" he exclaimed; "prove that, and I am yours, body and soul--to
do anything you desire."

CHAPTER XII

"No, never in my whole life have I met a woman who can compare with this
Marie-Anne! What grace and what dignity! Ah! her beauty is divine!"

So Martial was thinking while returning to Sairmeuse after his proposals
to M. Lacheneur.

At the risk of losing his way he took the shortest course, which led
across