“Well, you shall have some to-night.  Stay, take the dish.”

Pauline began to cut the endive, and Jean bent down to receive the leaves in the great salad dish.  The Cure looked on.

At this moment a sound of little bells was heard.  A carriage was approaching; one heard the jangling and creaking of its wheels.  The Cure’s little garden was only separated from the road by a low hedge, in the middle of which was a little trellised gate.

All three looked out, and saw driving down the road a hired carriage of most primitive construction, drawn by two great white horses, and driven by an old coachman in a blouse.  Beside this old coachman was seated a tall footman in livery, of the most severe and correct demeanor.  In the carriage were two young women, dressed both alike in very elegant, but very simple, travelling costumes.

When the carriage was opposite the gate the coachman stopped his horses, and addressing the Abbe: 

“Monsieur le Cure,” said he, “these ladies wish to speak to you.”

Then, turning toward the ladies: 

“This is Monsieur le Cure of Longueval.”

The Abbe Constantin approached and opened the little gate.  The travellers alighted.  Their looks rested, not without astonishment, on the young officer, who stood there, a little embarrassed, with his straw hat in one hand, and his salad dish, all overflowing with endive, in the other.

The visitors entered the garden, and the elder—­she seemed about twenty-five—­addressing the Abbe Constantin, said to him, with a little foreign accent, very original and very peculiar: 

“I am obliged to introduce myself—–­Mrs. Scott; I am Mrs. Scott!  It was I who bought the castle and farms and all the rest here at the sale yesterday.  I hope that I do not disturb you, and that you can spare me five minutes.”  Then, pointing to her travelling companion, “Miss Bettina Percival, my sister; you guessed it, I am sure.  We are very much alike, are we not?  Ah!  Bettina, we have left our bags in the carriage, and we shall want them directly.”

“I will get them.”

And as Miss Percival prepared to go for the two little bags, Jean said to her: 

“Pray allow me.”

“I am really very sorry to give you so much trouble.  The servant will give them to you; they are on the front seat.”

She had the same accent as her sister, the same large eyes—­black, laughing, and gay-and the same hair, not red, but fair, with golden shades, where daintily danced the light of the sun.  She bowed to Jean with a pretty little smile, and he, having returned to Pauline the salad dish full of endive, went to look for the two little bags.  Meanwhile-much agitated, sorely disturbed—­the Abbe Constantin introduced into his vicarage the new Chatelaine of Longueval.

CHAPTER III

DELIGHTFUL SURPRISES