When Lovallec heard these words he made an effort to escape the notice of the crowd, but the young girl could not resist a desire to make him known to the people. She cried out:
"Here is the saviour of Offemborough!"
At this the young man was surrounded by the priest, the mayor, and the lord of the castle, and they wanted to carry him off in triumph. They offered him great sums of money as a reward for the service he had rendered them; but simple and modest as the young man was, he answered:
"No, no! keep all your money. I will have none of that. I was without a shelter, and you drove me from your door; I was dying of hunger, and you refused me even the scraps that you fed to your dogs; I was shivering with cold, and all the clothing you gave me was a beating, and I was left for dead on the pavement. Ah! keep your honors; keep your money!"
At these sad words, and, fearing that the young man would destroy the source of their water as quickly as he had discovered it, the men, women, and children fell on their knees before him and begged for mercy. He bade them rise, and he was weeping as he spoke:
"Your kindness is my best revenge."
Then the people asked Lovallec to make his home among them.
"No! no!" he answered, "I have a great deal of good to do as I journey through the world, and those who are suffering cannot afford to wait."
The people of Offemborough, however, persuaded him to accept a magnificent carriage and horses; they clothed him in fine linen and gave him money to go on his way.
"When will you return to us?" inquired the people.