The eldest of the sisters taking the candlestick, held it up to Rousille's face, and seeing traces of tears upon it, said: "Sad news, again, dear child?" "No, aunts, glad news." "Then let us sit down, and tell it quickly." The old sisters sat on the oak chest and made Rousille take a chair facing them, close up that they might see her happy face, and each taking a hand in hers prepared to listen. The three faces were close together; the candle gave just light enough to reveal lip or eyes irradiated with a smile. "My news is," said Rousille, "that my father, having no longer a son to help him, wishes Jean Nesmy to come back." "What, Rousille, your sweetheart?" "Aunt Michelonne, it is to save La Fromentière." "Then you are going to be married, pet; you are going to be married?" exclaimed Aunt Adelaide enthusiastically, half rising; while her sister, on the contrary, bent lower to hide her emotion. "Yes, father has said so. If you will help me." "If! You know I will; you are my daughter. You have only to ask for what you want--but tell me, is it money?" "No, aunt." "A trousseau that we will both set about making?" "Something far more difficult," said Rousille. "To make a journey--a long one." "I, a journey?" "You, or Aunt Véronique. As far as the Bocage. Father cannot leave home; you are to go in his stead to see Jean Nesmy's mother, and persuade her to let her son come away. Will you do it?" Véronique sat upright. "You go to the Bocage, Adelaide, you are more active than I am." "Is that any reason? So great a pleasure; to do Rousille so great a service, why should you not have the privilege?" "Sister, you are the elder; you take the place of the mother." "You are right," said Adelaide simply. She was silent for a short time; in the agitation of the news and her decision, the pretty pink cheeks had paled. Then she said: "You see, it is forty years since I have been beyond the town of Chalons. I never thought to make any journey again. Where is Jean Nesmy's country?" With a pretty smile on her face at the recollections it evoked, Rousille touched Aunt Michelonne's black dress three times with the tip of her finger. "Here," she said, "is the farm of Nouzillac, where he is employed; there, a parish called La Flocellière; and there Les Châtelliers, where is his house, called La Château." "I do not know any of those names, pet." "There are hills in all directions, some small, some large, and a great many trees. When the wind blows from Saint Michel it rains without ceasing. Pouzanges is not far." "I have heard speak of Saint Michel and Pouzanges when I was quite a child by _Boquins_, who used in those days to come to our part to seek for fuel. And when must I go?" Lowering her soft eyes, Rousille answered: "Father is hard pressed. He said the sooner the better." "Holy Virgin! But I cannot start to-night. Still, look at the clock, Véronique, your eyes are better than mine."