“Ah! that is true,” said Jean, sympathizingly. “However, we will talk about it to-morrow. I am going to dine with you, godfather; I have warned Pauline of my visit; no time to stop to-day. I am on duty, and must be in quarters at three o’clock.”
“Stables?” asked Paul.
“Yes. Good-by, Paul. To-morrow, godfather.”
The lieutenant galloped away. Paul de Lavardens gave his little horse her head.
“What a capital fellow Jean is!” said Paul.
“Oh, yes, indeed!”
“There is no one on earth better than Jean.”
“No, no one.”
The Cure turned round to take another look at Jean, who was almost lost in the depths of the forest.
“Oh, yes, there is you, Monsieur le Cure.”