They were silent a moment, both with the same concern.
“I don’t like that woman,” she said at last.
“And why?”
Mrs. Roquevillard fixed her clear eyes on the sun set.
“I don’t know. We’ve no idea where she came from, and tremble to think how far she’ll go. She’s not good looking, but just the sight of her makes the mothers worry for their sons, and the wives for their husbands.”
“What a pity,” he said. “Who’s been talking to you about her?”
“Nobody. All I know I have guessed at. Those who pray much are not always the worst informed. She has strange eyes, dark but with fire in them. She frightens me.”
“Ah! I see. Well, people in the village do talk about her and our son.”
“Maurice should be warned,” said his mother. “He should be warned at once.”
“But, my dear, how shall we go about it? We are not certain of anything. Gossip and talk, what do they signify?”