"Who is it?" she asked, looking full at the peasant, with her frank, innocent expression. Lavenue turned redder still, and stooped down with an awkward movement to pick up his hat, which had fallen to the ground. "I can't say," he stuttered out; "she isn't for such as me." Bijou did not hear his reply. With her pretty figure slightly bent, and her head thrown back, she was slowly drinking a second cup of milk, whilst the farmer, who had recovered himself, stood still, with his eyes wide open, gazing at this fragile-looking young creature in timid, half-fearful admiration. When Bijou had finished her milk, she looked at him critically, with a smile on her lips. "My goodness! how warm it is to-day," he said, wiping with the back of his hand the great drops of perspiration, which stood out on his forehead. "Thank you, so much, Monsieur Lavenue," said Denyse, getting up; "your milk is delicious." "Oh! but you aren't surely going to start off again already?" he said, with a downcast look. "Already! why, I have been here at least a quarter of an hour." "Oh, well! it's been precious quick to me that quarter of an hour!" he stammered; and then, in a lower voice, he added: "Thank you, very much, Mad'moiselle Denyse, for the honour as you've done me. I sha'n't forget it, that's certain!" On getting up, Bijou had let the flowers, which she was wearing in her bodice, fall to the ground. As she turned towards the door, to see whether the horses were there, the peasant, with a stealthy movement, stretched his long, sinewy body out along the floor, and, snatching up the flowers, hid them away under his blouse. The groom was about to descend from his horse in order to help Denyse to mount; but she made a sign to stop him. "Monsieur Lavenue will help me on to my horse," she said; "he is very strong." She put her foot out in order to place it in the farmer's hand; but, without any warning, he put his hands round her waist, and then, steadying her a second against himself, he lifted her straight into the saddle. "Oh, well!" she exclaimed, in amazement, "I said you were strong, but however could you hold me at arm's length like that, and put me on to my horse, which is so tall?" and then, as he did not speak, but just stood there, looking down and breathing heavily, she added: "There, you see, I was too heavy! You are quite out of breath." She started off before he had time to answer, calling out to him as she rode away: "Good morning, and thank you again, very much!" Just as she was turning out of the farmyard, she looked round again at the farmer, who was standing motionless, as though rooted to the spot, with his arms hanging down at his sides. "Don't forget grandmamma's peaches and pears, Monsieur Lavenue!" she called out.