aused for a
moment at a place which commanded a view of the cottage. While he stood
there, he saw Jean Lacheneur and Chanlouineau leave the house, each
laden with a pedler's pack.

Maurice was therefore sure that M. Lacheneur and Marie-Anne were alone
in the house.

He hastened to the cottage and entered without stopping to rap.

Marie-Anne and her father were kneeling on the hearth, upon which a huge
fire was blazing.

On hearing the door open, they turned; and at the sight of Maurice, they
both sprang up, blushing and confused.

"What brings you here?" they exclaimed in the same breath.

Under other circumstances, Maurice d'Escorval would have been dismayed
by such a hostile greeting, but now he scarcely noticed it.

"You have no business to return here against my wishes, and after what I
have said to you, Monsieur d'Escorval," said Lacheneur, rudely.

Maurice smiled, he was perfectly cool, and not a detail of the scene
before him had escaped his notice. If he had felt any doubts before,
they were now dissipated. He saw upon the fire a large kettle of
melted lead, and several bullet-moulds stood on the hearth, beside the
andirons.

"If I venture to present myself at your house, Monsieur," said Maurice,
gravely and impressively, "it is because I know all. I have discovered
your revengeful project. You are looking for men to aid you, are you
not? Very well! look me in the face, in the eyes, and tell me if I am
not one of those whom a leader is glad to enroll among his followers."

M. Lacheneur was terribly agitated.

"I do not know what you mean," he faltered, forgetting his feigned
anger; "I have no projects."

"Would you assert this upon oath? Why are you casting these bullets? You
are clumsy conspirators. You should lock your door; someone else might
have entered."

And adding example to precept, he turned and pushed the bolt.

"This is only an imprudence," he continued; "but to reject a soldier who
comes to you voluntarily would be a fault for which your associate would
have a right to call you to account. I have no desire, understand me,
to force myself into your confidence. No, I give myself to you blindly,
body and soul. Whatever your cause may be, I declare it mine; what you
wish, I wish; I adopt your plans; your enemies are my enemies; command,
I will obey. I ask only one favor, that of fighting, of triumphing, or
of dying by your side."

"Oh! refuse, father!" exclaimed Marie-Anne; "refuse. T