The little goatherd approached her dwelling. Ere long she stopped in surprise and made a gesture which implied that she had just discovered the strangers. But she walked on after a moment, and came cheerily toward them. Alfred and Edouard stepped forward to meet her.
"Have you been knocking at my door, messieurs?" she asked, in a very sweet voice, with a curtsy to the travellers.
"Yes, my lovely child," Alfred replied.
"I was not mistaken! I heard Vaillant. You see, he warns me instantly when anyone comes. But you wish to step in and rest, no doubt, and have something to eat? Come, messieurs, I will let you in."
"You are too kind," said Edouard; "but we are sorry to have brought you home."
"Why so? As if I had not time enough to pasture my goats! And is it not a pleasure to be useful to travellers?"
As she spoke, the girl ran ahead to unlock the door.
"My friend, she is pretty enough to paint!" said Alfred in an undertone.
"Yes; everything about her charms and interests one!"
"What drivelling idiots these mountaineers must be to be afraid of such a lovely child! For my part, I would gladly sell myself to the devil with her!"