“_Mon Dieu_! wretch that I _am_!” she exclaimed. “Do I not love? is it possible that I could ever love any other than Maurice, my husband, the father of my child?” Her voice was still trembling with emotion when she recounted the details of the interview to the abbe. But he did not perceive it. He was thinking only of the baron. “I was sure that Martial would agree to everything; I was so certain of it that I have made all the arrangements for the baron to leave the farm. He will await, at your house, a safe-conduct from His Majesty. “The close air and the heat of the loft are retarding the baron’s recovery,” the abbe pursued, “so be prepared for his coming to-morrow evening. One of the Poignot boys will bring over all our baggage. About eleven o’clock we will put Monsieur d’Escorval in a carriage; and we will all sup together at the Borderie.” “Heaven comes to my aid!” thought Marie-Anne as she walked homeward. She thought that she would no longer be alone, that Mme. d’Escorval would be with her to talk to her of Maurice, and that all the friends who would surround her would aid her in driving away the thoughts of Martial, which haunted her. So the next day she was more cheerful than she had been for months, and once, while putting her little house in order, she was surprised to find herself singing at her work. Eight o’clock was sounding when she heard a peculiar whistle. It was the signal of the younger Poignot, who came bringing an arm-chair for the sick man, the abbe’s box of medicine, and a bag of books. These articles Marie-Anne deposited in the room which Chanlouineau had adorned for her, and which she intended for the baron. After arranging them to her satisfaction she went out to meet young Poignot, who had told her that he would soon return with other articles. The night was very dark, and Marie-Anne, as she hastened on, did not notice two motionless figures in the shadow of a clump of lilacs in her little garden. CHAPTER XLV Detected by Mme. Blanche in a palpable falsehood, Chupin was quite crestfallen for a moment. He saw the pleasing vision of a retreat at Courtornieu vanish; he saw himself suddenly deprived of frequent gifts which permitted him to spare his hoarded treasure, and even to increase it. But he soon regained his assurance, and with an affectation of frankness he said: “I may be stupid, but I could not deceive an infant. Someone must have told you falsely.” Mme. Blanche shrugged her shoulders. “I obtained my information from two persons who were ignorant of the interest it would possess for me.” “As truly as the sun is in the heavens I swear----” “Do not swear; simply confess that you have been wanting in zeal.” The young lady’s manner betrayed such positive certainty that Chupin ceased his denials and changed his tactics.