"If you really propose to make her your wife," said Alfred, after a moment’s silence, "you deserve to win her; for, I admit, I never had that intention. But it is very hard for me to believe it. However, I shall find a way to ascertain the truth."
Alfred walked back to the château and Edouard did the same; but they said nothing more to each other.
XXI
SERVANTS’ GOSSIP.—ALFRED AND THE VAGABOND
The next day, at daybreak, a certain excitement was apparent among the servants of the château; they were assembled in the courtyard, talking earnestly among themselves. Among those who declaimed the most loudly was the concierge, who seemed to be haranguing the others.
"I tell you that it can’t be anything," cried Cunette, gesticulating in a most dramatic way. "For more than fifteen years I’ve been concierge in this château, and nothing strange ever happened here."
"I don’t know whether it is strange or not," said the groom, "but I tell you that I saw a light. You know we came back late with monsieur; and then I had to groom the horse, put away the carriage, and then eat my supper; so that it was very late when I went to bed. As the weather was fine and I didn’t feel much like sleeping, I went to the window and happened to look at the tower opposite, which you call the North Tower."
"Where no one lives," said Cunette, "because monseigneur thought that it was in too bad condition, and that it wasn’t worth while to have it done over new, as there’s plenty of room in the château."
"Well, whether anyone lives there or not, I tell you that last night about eleven o’clock—or rather, it was pretty near midnight—I saw a light in one of the little windows up at the top."
"Mon Dieu!" said Jeannette; "midnight! That’s the time for ghosts, ain’t it, Mamzelle Cheval?"
"Nonsense!" said the cook; "do you suppose I believe in ghosts? All those stories are made up to frighten folks. It’s more likely to be thieves who want to steal my chickens,—that is, if it was anything at all."