"Can we see La Trappe from a distance?"
"Oh no, you must have your nose just over it to see it, it is quite in a bottom, at the end of a lane, like that," said the peasant, pointing to a grassy lane into which they turned.
"There is a fellow coming from the place," he said, pointing out a vagabond, who was crossing the copse at a great pace.
And he explained to Durtal that every beggar had a right to food and even to lodging at La Trappe; they gave them the ordinary fare of the community in a room close to the brother porter's lodge, but did not let them into the convent.
When Durtal asked him the opinion which the villagers round about had of the monks, the peasant was evidently afraid of compromising himself, for he answered,
"Some say nothing about them."
Durtal began to be rather weary, when suddenly as they turned out of a lane, he saw an immense building below him.
"There is La Trappe!" said the peasant, gathering his reins for the descent.
From the height where he was, Durtal looked over the roofs, and saw a large garden, with thickets, and in front of them a formidable crucifix.
Then the vision disappeared, the carriage again went through the wood, descending by zig-zag roads where the foliage intercepted the view.