"Michel! oh, the unfortunate boy! But you won't say a word about it, will you, Courtin? Besides, the government must have made its plans. If the duchess attempts to return to La Vendée, she will be arrested before she can get here." "Nevertheless, she is here," persisted Courtin. "All the more reason why you should hold your tongue." "I like that! And what becomes of the profits and the glory of such a prize, not counting that before the capture is made by somebody else the whole country will be in blood and arms? No. Madame la baronne; no, I cannot hold my tongue." "Then what is to be done? Good God! what can I do?" "I'll tell you, Madame la baronne; listen to me--" "Go on." "Well, as I want to remain your zealous and faithful servant, all the while being a good citizen,--and because I hope that in gratitude for what I am doing for you, you will let me keep my farm on terms that I am able to pay,--I will agree to say nothing about Monsieur Michel. But you must try to keep him out of this wasps' nest in future. He is in it now, that's true; but there's still time to get him out." "You need not trouble yourself about that, Courtin." "But if I might say a word, Madame la baronne--" "Well, what?" "I don't quite dare to give advice to Madame la baronne; it is not my place, but--" "Go on, Courtin; go on." "Well, in order to get Monsieur Michel completely out of this hornets' nest, I think you'll have--by some means or other, prayers or threats--to make him leave la Logerie and go to Paris." "Yes, you are right, Courtin." "Only, I am afraid he won't consent." "If I decide it, Courtin, he must consent." "He will be twenty-one in eleven months; he is very nearly his own master." "I tell you he shall go, Courtin. What are you listening for?" Courtin had turned his head to the door, as if he heard something. "I thought some one was in the corridor," he said. "Look and see." Courtin took a light and rushed into the passage. "There was no one," he said, "though I certainly thought I heard a step." "Where do you suppose he can be, the wretched boy, at this time of night?" said the baroness. "Perhaps he has gone to my house," said Courtin. "He has confidence in me, and it wouldn't be the first time he has come to tell me of his little troubles." "Possibly. You had better go home now; and remember your promise." "And do you remember yours, Madame la baronne. If he comes in lock him up. Don't let him communicate with the wolves, for if he sees them--" "What then?" "I shouldn't be surprised to hear some day that he was firing behind the gorse." "God forbid! Oh! he'll kill me with anxiety. What a luckless idea it was of my husband ever to come to this cursed place!" "Luckless, indeed, madame,--especially for him." The baroness bowed her head sadly under the recollections thus evoked. Courtin now left her, looking about him carefully to see that no one was stirring in the château de la Logerie. XVI.