A cruel smile wandered over the lips of the Vicomte.
"Ah! the invasion will then take that direction!"
CHAPTER VII.
THE VILLAGE.
On the 1st of January, 1814, it was known that foreign forces had invaded France. It was a terrible surprise when fugitives passed through the villages crying, "Save yourselves, while there is yet time!"
Mothers wept for their sons, wives for their husbands, sisters for their brothers!
The winter was a severe one. The Vosges mountains and the villages in the valleys were alike wrapped in snow.
The inn which our readers already know at Leigoutte, presented a most picturesque appearance. The snow had been so heavy for several days that the woodcutters had not been up the mountains to bring down the wood, but this morning they had determined to make an attempt, and had gathered before the inn with their long light sledges on their shoulders. They seemed to be waiting for some one. "Can Simon be sick?" asked one of these men, finally.