When I rose from the ground I saw that Thérence had finished her prayer and was preparing for the night. She had taken off her cap, and I noticed that her black hair fell in coils to her feet; but before she had taken the first pin from her garments, believe me if you will, I had fled as though I feared to be guilty of sacrilege. And yet I was no fool either, and not at all in the habit of making faces at the devil. But Thérence filled my soul with respect as though she were cousin of the Holy Virgin. As I left the old castle, a man, whom I had not seen in the shadow of the great portal, surprised me by saying: "Hey, friend! tell me if this is, as I think it is, the old castle of Chassin?" "The Head-Woodsman!" I cried, recognizing the voice. And I kissed him with such ardor that he was quite astonished, for, naturally, he did not remember me as I did him. But when he did recollect me he was very friendly and said:-- "Tell me quick, my boy, if you have seen my children, or if you know whether they are here." "They came this morning," I said, "and so did I and my cousin Brulette. Your daughter Thérence is in there, very quiet and tranquil, and my cousin is close by, at a wedding with your dear good son Huriel." "Thank God, I am not too late!" said Père Bastien. "Joseph has gone on to Nohant expecting to find them there together." "Joseph! Did he come with you? They did not expect you for five or six days, and Huriel told us--" "Just see how matters turn out in this world," said Père Bastien, drawing me out on the road so as not to be overheard. "Of all the things that are blown about by the wind, the brains of lovers are the lightest! Did Huriel tell you all that relates to Joseph?" "Yes, everything." "When Joseph saw Thérence and Huriel starting for these parts, he whispered something in Huriel's ear. Do you know what he told him?" "Yes, I know, Père Bastien, but--"