An hour later Noémi was in the Church of Guillem and before her father.
Somewhat hesitatingly she held out to him the singed glove.
"The Sieur del' Peyra sends you this," she said.
Le Gros Guillem took the glove, threw it on the table, and burst out laughing.
"The mouse defies the lion! Good! This is good! I thank you, Noémi, for bringing me this; it is a right merry jest. I drink to his visit! May he come speedily."
CHAPTER X.
BY FIRE.
A strange stillness came over the Vézère valley that evening at sundown. Hardly a man was about, not a sound was heard save the barking of a dog in a farm on one side of the river, and the answer of another dog in one on the further side. There was, however, a mysterious hiss in the air about every dwelling and cluster of habitations. Now and then a woman was seen, but it was to call in her children who had run out, and, forgetful of all that had passed, had begun to play.