"Already! why, I have been here at least a quarter of an hour."
"Oh, well! it's been precious quick to me that quarter of an hour!" he stammered; and then, in a lower voice, he added: "Thank you, very much, Mad'moiselle Denyse, for the honour as you've done me. I sha'n't forget it, that's certain!"
On getting up, Bijou had let the flowers, which she was wearing in her bodice, fall to the ground.
As she turned towards the door, to see whether the horses were there, the peasant, with a stealthy movement, stretched his long, sinewy body out along the floor, and, snatching up the flowers, hid them away under his blouse.
The groom was about to descend from his horse in order to help Denyse to mount; but she made a sign to stop him.
"Monsieur Lavenue will help me on to my horse," she said; "he is very strong."
She put her foot out in order to place it in the farmer's hand; but, without any warning, he put his hands round her waist, and then, steadying her a second against himself, he lifted her straight into the saddle.
"Oh, well!" she exclaimed, in amazement, "I said you were strong, but however could you hold me at arm's length like that, and put me on to my horse, which is so tall?" and then, as he did not speak, but just stood there, looking down and breathing heavily, she added: "There, you see, I was too heavy! You are quite out of breath."
She started off before he had time to answer, calling out to him as she rode away:
"Good morning, and thank you again, very much!"