"Very well," said Edouard, "as I am not afraid of compromising myself, I propose to try to talk a little with the man. I have an idea that he is an unfortunate fellow looking for work. Couldn’t you give him something to do in your château, as you are just setting up housekeeping?"
"Take that man into my house! No, indeed! I should be afraid that he would rob me."
"Oh! do you think it is always safe to judge by appearances, monsieur? and because this poor fellow’s coat is shabbier than those of the peasants hereabout, is it necessary to refuse him a chance to earn his living? That’s the way the unfortunate are forced into crime."
"After all, what you say is reasonable. Well! go to him and ask him what he can do. I might employ him to pull up beets, or to groom the horses which I propose to buy; we will see. But first of all find out what he is; I am determined to have only respectable people in my service."
The carriage drove into the courtyard. Monsieur Férulus, who had already arrived for dinner, joined the young men. Edouard, while the rest went into the château, went out again and walked toward the place where they had seen the man from Clermont-Ferrand.
The stranger was still seated a short distance from the North Tower, to which his glances seemed more attracted than to the other parts of the château; his staff was between his legs, and his head rested on one of his hands.
Edouard approached the stranger, but he did not look up at him, and remained in the same position. Edouard saw that he must begin the conversation, and, taking his stand almost in front of the stranger he said to him in an indifferent tone:
"You seem to be examining this venerable château with much interest, monsieur?"
The stranger raised his eyes, glanced angrily at Edouard for a moment, then answered abruptly:
"Am I not at liberty to look where I please?"