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He had met them five hours afterward, harassed and furious; and the officer in charge of the expedition declared their failure to be the fault of the Marquis de Sairmeuse, who had detained them. That same day Father Poignot informed the abbe that the Duc de Sairmeuse and the Marquis de Courtornieu were at variance. It was the talk of the country.
It was clear that they hoped for salvation through the priest alone. He was lost in thought, and it was some time before he spoke. "About an hour's walk from here," he said, at last, "beyond the Croix d'Arcy, is the hut of a peasant upon whom I can rely. His name is Poignot; and he was formerly in Monsieur Lacheneur's employ. With the assistance of his three sons, he now tills quite a large farm.
"You have rendered me a service which nothing can repay, Father Poignot," he said, with intense feeling. "You have saved my life." "Oh! we will not talk of that, Baron. In my place, you would have done the same neither more nor less." "I shall not attempt to express my thanks, but I hope to live long enough to prove that I am not ungrateful."
These articles Marie-Anne deposited in the room which Chanlouineau had adorned for her, and which she intended for the baron. After arranging them to her satisfaction she went out to meet young Poignot, who had told her that he would soon return with other articles.
"So be it," she said, with an ironical smile, "but is it Chanlouineau for whom you are waiting this evening? Is it for Chanlouineau you have warmed these slippers and laid this table? Was it Chanlouineau who sent his clothing by a peasant named Poignot? You see that I know all " But her victim was silent. "For whom are you waiting?" she insisted. "Answer!" "I cannot!"
The abbe made the party enter it, recommending the strictest prudence, while he went on in advance to confer with this man, upon whose decision the safety of the whole party depended. As the priest approached the house, a small, thin man, with gray hair and a sunburned face emerged from the stable. It was Father Poignot. "What! is this you, Monsieur le Cure!" he exclaimed, delightedly.
When the abbe had finished: "Do you know, sir," he asked, coldly, "that I incur a great risk by converting my house into a hospital for these rebels?" The abbe dared not answer. "They told me," Father Poignot continued, "that I was a coward, because I would not take part in the revolt. Such was not my opinion. Now I choose to shelter these wounded men I shelter them.
"Everything is at the Borderie," said the honest fellow, on returning from his last trip, "and Mademoiselle Lacheneur bids the baron bring a good appetite." "I shall have one, never fear!" responded the baron, gayly. "We shall all have one." Father Poignot himself was busily engaged in harnessing his best horse to the cart which was to convey M. d'Escorval to his new home.
A moment after young Poignot stopped his cart in the road, at the entrance of the little footpath leading to the Borderie. "Our journey is ended!" he remarked to the baron. Then he uttered a low whistle, like that which he had given a few hours before, to warn Marie-Anne of his arrival. No one appeared; he whistled again, louder this time; then with all his might still no response.
"The close air and the heat of the loft are retarding the baron's recovery," the abbe pursued, "so be prepared for his coming to-morrow evening. One of the Poignot boys will bring over all our baggage. About eleven o'clock we will put Monsieur d'Escorval in a carriage; and we will all sup together at the Borderie." "Heaven comes to my aid!" thought Marie-Anne as she walked homeward.
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