Hirzel now appeared, announcing that he was ready to eat up all, his sister included.  Breakfast being ready, they all drew their chairs near the table, Marguerite begging Hirzel to come and sit near her, as she wanted to speak to him.  The boy saw that she wished to keep Gaultier off, and with his usual teasing way, he made signs behind that worthy’s back to the effect that his sister ought to ask him to sit by her.  However, when Hirzel saw that his sister looked really troubled, he came immediately like a good brother and did what his sister wished.  All this was not lost on that wretched Jacques, who between present circumstances, and his own thoughts of what must come before he gained Marguerite, had by no means an enviable position.

During the repast Pierre informed Hirzel that on the afternoon of the following day he had a particular message to send him on, as it was one some way off, he might take the cart or ride if he preferred it.

“Very well, Father, I’ll go for you; riding is best if I have nothing to carry.”

“And thou, Jacques,” said old Pierre, “will come after thy fishing is past and mend the rafters I told thee of in the room behind the granary.”  “But Father,” said Hirzel, “why not let me do that work for you?  I would like to, and ride for this message the day after.”

Hirzel said this, because he remembered his sister’s arrangement with Charlie, and he knew that she particularly wished him to be at home, especially now that there was some chance of Jacques being about.

“Thou would’st like to work indoors?  Why what has come to thee Hirzel?”

“You had better do what Father wishes Hirzel,” said Marguerite.  She saw her brother was troubled as to what was best to be done; also, she was very much afraid lest he should say something to betray matters.  So she thought she would settle it quietly, especially when she remembered that Charlie would not come until she had shown the light, which she firmly resolved should not be shown until Jacques was well out of the place.

Breakfast being over, Jacques took his leave, and the others dispersed to their various occupations—­each of the four with very different thoughts and hopes as to what the morrow might bring forth, but at present, like all the rest of mankind, their first business was to get through “to-day” as well as they could.

CHAPTER V.

The morning following the events recorded in the last chapter was ushered in with bright sunshine, and everything pleasant, so far as outward appearances went, in and out of the mill, though some hearts were restless or uneasy as to how it would be when the sun rose to run his accustomed course the next morning.  Charlie was perhaps the happiest of all those whose fortunes we are now following.  He had but slight clouds to dim his horizon; at least his horizon as seen by his own eyes.  He went cheerfully and gladly through