“In faith, sir, I have never seen her do otherwise than she does every day, that is to say, walk in the valley, play picquet with her aunt, and visit the poor. The peasants call her Brigitte la Rose; I have never heard a word against her except that she goes through the woods alone at all hours of the day and night; but that is when engaged in charitable work. She is the ministering angel in the valley. As for those she receives, there are only the cure and Monsieur de Dalens during vacation.”
“Who is this Monsieur de Dalens?”
“He owns the chateau at the foot of the mountain on the other side; he only comes here for the chase.”
“Is he young?”
“Yes.”
“Is he related to Madame Pierson?”
“No, he was a friend of her husband.”
“Has her husband been dead long?”
“Five years on All-Saints’ day. He was a worthy man.”
“And has this Monsieur de Dalens paid court?”