Legend of Moulin Huet | Page 7

entered Marguerite turned round wondering who could be
with her Father at such an early hour. On seeing who it was, her face
clouded, and she immediately experienced that same feeling of fear
come over her as she always had of late when she saw her Father and
Jacques Gaultier together. She said "good morning" to them, and then
resumed the preparation for the morning meal. Jacques' dark eyes
followed her all about the room; doubtless he was thinking of the time
when she would be performing the same duties under his roof, while

she--Well, we will not penetrate into her thoughts; no doubt she would
prefer keeping them to herself, so we will let her, in the certainty that
the train of thought was very different to that of Jacques Gaultier.
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 his duties that morning,
and never did he more fully merit the name of "Happy Charlie"
bestowed on him by his comrades in the gallant 22nd than he did on the
morning in question. The truth was he was beginning to tire of old
Pierre Moullin's determined refusal to have anything to say to him in
the character of son-in-law. He had made up his mind (and being of a
hopeful nature, considered more than half the battle was fought in
consequence), that come what might, he would prevail on Marguerite
to marry him at once, and trust to gain her Father's forgiveness when
the deed was done beyond recall. And so our friend Charlie whistled
and sang through this day, building all sorts of pleasant castles about
his future life, little thinking what a train was being laid, to which, if
the match were applied, he and his castles would be