“Thou art Michel _le diable_!” said a childish voice to him one evening, and he felt a small, warm hand laid for an instant upon his own. It was Delphine, Nicolas’s eldest girl, a daring child, full of spirit and courage; yet even she shrank back a step or two after touching him, and stood as if ready to take flight. “I am Michel Lorio,” he answered, in a quiet, pleasant voice, which won her back to his side. “Why dost thou call me Michel _le diable_?” “All the world calls thee that,” answered Delphine; “thou art a heretic. See, I am a good Christian. I say my ave and paternoster every night; if thou wilt do the same thing, no one will call thee Michel _le diable_.” “Thou art not afraid of me?” he asked, for the child put her hand again on his. “No, no! thou art not the real devil!” she said, “and _maman_ has put my name on the register of the monument; so the great archangel St. Michel will deliver me from all evil. What canst thou do? Canst thou turn children into cats? or canst thou walk across the sea without being drowned? or canst thou stand on the highest pinnacle of the church, where the golden image of St. Michel used to be, and cast thyself down without killing thyself? I will go back with thee to thy house and see what thou canst do.” “I can do none of these things,” answered Michel, “not one; but thou shalt come home with me if thou wilt.” “Carry me,” she said, “that I may feel how strong thou art.” He lifted her easily into his arms, for he was strong and accustomed to bear heavier burdens. His heart beat fast as the child’s hand stole round his neck and her soft cheek touched his own. Delphine had never been upon the ramparts before when the stars were out and the distant circle of the cliffs hidden by the night, and several times he was compelled to stop and answer her eager questions; but she would not go into the house when they reached the door. “Carry me back again, Michel,” she demanded. “I do not like thy mother. Thou shalt bring me again along the ramparts to-morrow night. I will always come to thee, always when I see thee standing in the dark corner by our house. I love thee much, Michel _le diable_.”