Caroline, hearing Peyraque snore behind his curtain, put her finger to her lips and threw her hood back on her shoulders. Justine stood still an instant, suppressed a cry of joy, and opened her stout arms with rapture. She had recognized her child. "Come, come!" said she, leading her toward a little break-neck staircase at the farther end of the entry, "your room is all ready. We have been hoping for you every day this year." And she called to her husband, "Get up, Peyraque, at once, and shut the door. Here is news, O, such good news!"
The little chamber, whitewashed and furnished in rustic fashion, was, like the lower room, of irreproachable neatness. The view was magnificent; and blossoming fruit-trees came up to the level of the window. "It is a paradise!" exclaimed Caroline to the good woman. "It only needs a little fire, which you are going to make for me. I am cold and hungry, but happy to see you and be with you. I must tell you something, first of all. I don't want it known here who I am. My reasons are good ones, and you shall know them; they will meet your approval. Let us begin by agreeing on our facts; you have lived at Brioude?"
"Yes; I was in service there before I was married."
"Brioude is a long way from here. Is there any one from that country in Lantriac?"
"No one; and strangers never come. There is no road except for ox-carts."
"I saw that myself. Then you can pass me off for some one you knew at Brioude?"
"Very easily,--the daughter of my old mistress."
"But she was not a young lady; she was a little tradeswoman."
"That's it; but I must have an occupation."
"Wait a minute!--that's easy enough. Be a pedler of small wares, like the one I am speaking of."
"But then I shall have to sell something."
"I'll see to that. Besides, you are supposed to have made your rounds, and I shall have detained you here as a matter of friendship; for you are going to stay?"
"You must stay always. We will find you something to do, never fear. But, let's see; what shall be your name?"
"Charlette; you called me that when I was a little thing; so it will not give you any trouble. I am supposed to be a widow, and you must say 'thou' to me."
"Just as I used to. Good! it is agreed. But how will you dress, my dear Charlette?"