A mischievous smile played about the girl’s lips as she replied:
"I have never seen anything out of the common course, monsieur."
"Faith," said Alfred, "we tried to find out whether the house was really unoccupied; and before coming here we went there and knocked, to the great scandal of the mountaineer who acted as our guide."
"You knocked at the White House?" said Isaure hastily; "did anyone answer?"
"No, of course not, as there’s no one there."
The girl seemed more or less excited; but she recovered herself and said:
"To be sure; it was of no use to knock."
Edouard looked closely at Isaure and tried to read her eyes; but Robineau sprang to his feet and cried:
"I think you must have eaten enough, messieurs, and it’s time for us to be going on."
Alfred and Edouard rose regretfully; they realized that it would not be well to prolong their visit then. Alfred drew his purse and was about to take out a piece of money, when the girl stayed his hand, saying: