"Go away!" cried Fuldrade; "go along with the others!" And the obedient heifer turned back to the cabin door. But the falling floods seemed to give her matter for reflection, for she stood quietly there, contemplating the deluge, and slowly swinging her beautiful head, lowing in a deep, subdued tone. The fresh air was now penetrating the hut and bringing with it the sweet perfumes of honeysuckle and wild roses, excited by the freshening rain. All the birds in the woods--redbreasts, thrushes, and blackbirds--formed a concert under the trees; the air was filled with the little love-tales of the happy birds and the fluttering of their eager wings. Then Maitre Bernard, recovering from his reverie, took a few paces outside, raised his eyes, and contemplated the white and fleecy clouds hastily crossing the still troubled sky. On the hill opposite he could see the whole herd of cattle, all lying sheltered beneath the overhanging rocks, some lazily extended, their knees bent beneath them, with sleepy eyes; others, with neck outstretched, lowing solemnly. A few young animals were gazing at the hanging festoons of honeysuckle, and seemed to enjoy the balmy air that wafted from them. All these diverse forms and attitudes stood clearly out upon the reddish background of the rock; and the immense expanded vault of the cavern, with its setting of oak and pine whose twisted roots appeared where they had pierced through the rock, gave a majestic air of grandeur to the spectacle. "Well, Maitre Bernard," cried Christian, "it is broad daylight; had we not better start?" Then, speaking to Fuldrade, who seemed buried in thought-- "Fuldrade, this old gentleman cannot drink our kirschwasser, yet I cannot offer him water. Have you anything better?" Fuldrade took up a milk-pail, and, with an intelligent glance at Christian, went out. "Wait a moment," she said; "I shall be here directly." She rapidly tripped over the wet meadow; the drops of rain, collecting in the large leaves, poured about her feet in little crystal streams. At her approach to the cave the finest cows arose up as if to greet their young mistress. She patted them all, and, having seated herself, began to milk one, a fine white cow, which, standing motionless, with eyes half-closed, seemed grateful for the preference. When her pail was full Fuldrade made haste back, and, presenting it to Bernard, said, smiling-- "Drink as much as you like; that is the way we drink milk warm from the cow in the country." Which was done at once, the good man thanking her many times, and praising the excellence of this frothy milk, flavoured, as it were, with the wild aromatic plants of the Schneeberg, Fuldrade seemed pleased with his eulogiums, and Christian, who had slipped on his blouse, standing behind them, staff in hand, waited for the end of these compliments before he cried--