"The question hath no need of answer. It is answered already. And you, Fernande, are impertinent to put the question to me." "Nevertheless, _ma tante_, I ask it in all seriousness, and I beg for an answer in the name of the cause which we all hold dear." "If you put it that way, child," rejoined Madame coldly, "I cannot help but reply: you are foolish and impertinent, and I almost feel bemeaned by pandering to your foolishness." "_Ma tante_," pleaded Fernande insistently. "What is it you want me to say, _enfin_?" "Tell me plainly and simply, _ma tante_, which you prize most: a few hollow conventions or the success of our arms in the cause of our King." "Tush, child! of course you know that I prize the cause of our King above all else on earth." "And you are ready to make any sacrifice for its success?" "Of course I am! What nonsense has got into that childish head of yours, I wonder?" "One moment, _ma tante_. Tell me one thing more." "Well?" "In your opinion, do you think that every one of us should be ready for any sacrifice that might help to further the cause of our King?" "Of course, child. I trust you are prepared to make whatever sacrifice the cause of the King may demand from you. I know that your father is more than prepared, and so is Laurent." "And so am I, _ma tante_," said Fernande firmly. "Therefore, one day soon I'll go to meet M. de Maurel in the woods of La Frontenay, and together we'll visit the Maurel foundries--all in the name of the King, _ma tante_." CHAPTER IX THE COOING OF THE PIGEONS I But it was close on a fortnight before Ronnay de Maurel saw Fernande again. He went every morning to the silent pool, soon after break of day, and every morning he waited for her until the sun was high in the heavens, and he was obliged to go back to his work. He spent his time in gazing into the pool or listening to the murmur of the woods. He knew the note of every bird, he knew where each tiny couple had built its nest; he watched the crimson tips of the young chestnut unfold and turn to bronze and then to green; he read every morning in the book which God hath laid out in springtime for every one of His creatures to read. He also spent a considerable amount of time in gazing at a silk stocking and a tiny sandal shoe, which happily he thought Fernande had forgotten to claim. He would draw these treasures from out the breast pocket of his blouse and hold them in his hands and toy with them, and gaze till a mist would come to his eyes and a curious, impatient sigh would come through his parted lips. But he never tired while he lay in wait for the beautiful fairy-like creature who had so graciously intimated to him that one day she would come. It never occurred to him to give up waiting for her; that was not his nature. The same dogged obstinacy of the de Maurels, which had driven Denise de Courson well-nigh distraught, brought Ronnay daily to the spot where he knew that he must one day meet Fernande.