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She followed the traditions of the epicurean churchman to whom this valuable garden owed its origin; but Benassis himself regarded it with sufficient indifference. The commandant turned their talk from the trivial matters which had occupied them by saying to the doctor: "How comes it, sir, that the population of the valley has been trebled in ten years?
"She is my daughter, you see!" he added, turning to the commandant; "there is something wanting in the day, somehow, when I have not kissed her forehead." La Fosseuse held Benassis' hand in a tight clasp as she murmured, "Oh! you are very kind!" They left the house; but she came after them to see them mount.
He returned indeed to the salon; and as he warmed himself by the fire, he thought over the troubles that no man may escape, the troubles that are found in every lot that it falls to man to endure here upon earth. Benassis soon came back, and the two future friends sat down again.
But as I am telling you everything, I will look for her answer and my farewell letter," said Benassis, and he went up to his room in search of it. He returned in a few moments with a worn pocketbook; his hands trembled with emotion as he drew from it some loose sheets. "Here is the fatal letter," he said.
The smuggler raised his head and looked at Genestas by way of acknowledging the compliment. "Butifer," continued Benassis, "if your conscience does not reproach you, it ought to do so.
As they rode on their way again, Genestas said to the doctor, "Will you regard it as inquisitiveness on my part if I ask to hear more of La Fosseuse? I have come to know the story of many lives through you, and hers cannot be less interesting than some of these." Benassis stopped his horse as he answered. "Perhaps you will not share in the feelings of interest awakened in me by La Fosseuse.
Where are you?" shouted Benassis. Genestas first saw the curling smoke from a tobacco pipe rise among the brushwood on a bank of rubbish not far away. He pointed it out to the doctor, who shouted again. The old pontooner raised his head at this, recognized the mayor, and came towards them down a little pathway. "Well, old friend," said Benassis, making a sort of speaking-trumpet with his hand.
"What did her father and mother do?" "Oh, it is quite a long story," answered Benassis. "Neither her father nor mother nor any of her relations are living. Everything about her down to her name interested me. La Fosseuse was born here in the town.
To you I shall speak openly and without reserve, as a man who does not seek to apologize for his life with the good and evil done in the course of it; as one who will hide nothing from you, because he lives so far from the world of to-day, careless of the judgements of man, and full of hope in God." Benassis stopped, rose to his feet, and said, "Before I begin my story, I will order tea.
The sight of the smoke rising above the hovel where the charity-children were being brought up recalled vivid memories of Benassis and of his kindness of heart. The officer made up his mind to call there. He would give some alms to the poor woman for his dead friend's sake. He tied his horse to a tree, and opened the door of the hut without knocking.
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