From among them, with a stick in his hand, and running lightly in the direction of her father's cottage, Gabriel suddenly emerged.
On seeing her at the end of the irregular vista, which he had just entered, however, he slackened his pace, and doffing his hat he approached her.
"A message, Gabriel?" she inquired.
"Yes, if Mademoiselle pleases," said he, blushing all over, like the setting sun. "I was running to the Visconte's house to tell Mademoiselle."
"Well, Gabriel, and what is it?"
"Why, Mademoiselle, a strange lady in the glen desires me to tell Mademoiselle de Charrebourg that she wishes to see her."
"But did she say why she desired it, and what she wished to speak to me about?"
"No, Mademoiselle."
"Then tell her that Mademoiselle de Charrebourg, knowing neither her name nor her business, declines obeying her summons," said she, haughtily. Gabriel bowed low, and was about to retire on his errand, when she added—
"It was very dull of you, Gabriel, not to ask her what she wanted of me."