"Well, my girl, I can tell you all about it. It would seem that Le Mierre has been making a fool of you. All Torteval knows it. And there's times and times I've seen you together; and him making love to you."
"You're a sneak and a liar! So you've spied on us, Perrin Corbet, have you?"
The fisherman was absolutely unmoved by her rudeness. His love was beyond and above any feeling of even proper pride.
"I've not spied on you at all, but it wasn't my fault if you didn't see me; and you never gave me a chance of telling you all this before. He's sure and certain to marry Blaisette. It's as good as if she was his wife now you've seen the cart taking the linen to Orvillière. Don't be vexed with me. It's for your good I speak. You know how I love you, Ellenor."
"Bah, who cares for your love! I was a fool to tell you the amusing thing I've seen. And I tell you, once more, he don't love Blaisette Simon."
"Well, have it your own way! I've nothing more to say about the marriage. But I've a mind to go to warn Blaisette about her husband to be."
Ellenor turned on Perrin a look of wild terror and anger.
"If I could, I'd kill you, because I hate you so! You would go to tell Blaisette that you've seen me and him together!"
"I would do no such thing. But I would wish to warn her that Dominic is mixed up with smugglers."
A dead silence was at last broken by Ellenor's husky words.