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Updated: June 17, 2025
He descended, but turned to the left, finding a rude road which skirted the base of the eastern range. He was following no definite plan, moving slowly, without objective; but a window glimmering in a square of orange light against the night brought him to a halt. It marked, he knew, the dwelling of the Jesuit priest, Merlier.
He thrust his fingers in the bullet holes to measure their depth; he thought how he could repair all these injuries. Francoise found him already stopping up the clefts with rubbish and moss. "Father," she said, "you are wanted." And she wept at last as she told him what she had just heard. Pere Merlier tossed his head. People were not shot in such a summary fashion.
When the courtyard was full and all had their glasses in their hands, Pere Merlier raised his very high and said: "I have the pleasure to announce to you that Francoise will wed this young fellow here in a month, on Saint Louis's Day." Then they drank noisily. Everybody smiled. But Pere Merlier, again lifting his voice, exclaimed: "Dominique, embrace your fiancee. It is your right."
The officer went to the apartment in which the prisoner had been confined, looked out of the window which had remained open, understood everything and returned, exasperated. Pere Merlier seemed greatly vexed by Dominique's flight. "The imbecile!" he muttered. "He has ruined all!" Francoise heard him and was overcome with anguish. But the miller did not suspect her of complicity in the affair.
Pere Merlier grew livid and seemed about to hurl himself upon the officer to strangle him. He stiffened himself but made no answer. Francoise buried her face in her hands. "Yes, that's it!" continued the Prussian. "And you or your daughter helped him to escape! One of you is his accomplice! For the last time, will you give him up to us?" The miller uttered not a word.
A shutter fell into the water, pierced like a bit of lace, and it was necessary to replace it with a mattress. Pere Merlier constantly exposed himself to ascertain the extent of the damage done to his poor wheel, the cracking of which made his heart ache. All would be over with it this time; never could he repair it.
Without doubt the old man had found the youth he had gone to seek a worthy youth in the lazy fellow who stretched himself out upon the grass to make the girls fall in love with him. All Rocreuse clamored. The women at the doors had plenty to say on the subject of the folly of Pere Merlier, who had thus introduced a reprobate into his house. The miller let people talk on.
He caused Pere Merlier to be taken to the chamber which had served as Dominique's prison. The old man demanded tobacco and began to smoke. Upon his impassible face not the slightest emotion was visible. But when alone, as he smoked, he shed two big tears which ran slowly down his cheeks. His poor, dear child, how she was suffering! Francoise remained in the middle of the courtyard.
He carried the sacks, drove the cart, fought with the old mill wheel when it refused to turn, and all this with such good will that people came to see him out of curiosity. Pere Merlier had his silent laugh. He was excessively proud of having formed a correct estimate of this youth. There is nothing like love to give courage to young folks.
Nevertheless, the young girls sometimes risked defending him, for this doubtful man was superb; supple and tall as a poplar, he had a very white skin, with flaxen hair and beard which gleamed like gold in the sun. One fine morning Francoise declared to Pere Merlier that she loved Dominique and would never wed any other man. It may well be imagined what a blow this was to Pere Merlier.
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