‘My honest couple,’ said the visitor; ‘you appear to be giving yourselves a great deal of unnecessary discomfort. I have very little business with either of you.’
Benoit drew a good long breath of relief, and now for the first time hastened to get a seat for the stranger.
‘Have you any one staying in the mill with you,’ inquired the new-comer.
‘M. Exili was our only lodger,’ said Benoit, not choosing to speak of the girl.
‘But there is a young woman here, I think,’ continued the other. ‘The same that was present at the capture last evening.’
‘Merciful Virgin! she is not a poisoner!’ exclaimed Benoit, who began to misgive everything and everybody.
‘Reassure yourself,’ replied the other; ‘she certainly is not, if the person be the same. Her name is——’
‘Louise Gauthier?’ replied Benoit, as the stranger hesitated.
‘That is right. Will you tell her some one wishes to see her upon business of importance.’
Bathilde ran towards the chamber to summon the young girl. She appeared immediately; but as soon as she saw who it was required her attendance, she shrank back, with an expression of alarm and dislike, as she exclaimed—