Page:Georges Eekhoud - Escal Vigor, a novel.djvu/87

Rh The company therefore, decides to awaken the little bantling. One of them will set her on her way and then catch up with the Roseland at the next stage. But the girl thanks the complaisant youth and says it is unnecessary for him to trouble himself. She can very well walk alone to her father's cottage. Sometimes, on market days she returns even later, and in what weather and through what roads! The young chap accordingly contents himself with pointing out to her the road she must take,

"Listen, little one, thou'lt cross the heath there, sloping from right to left; then thou'lt reach a fir-grove which thou'lt leave on the right and—"

Blandine hardly heeds him, his voice soon fails to reach her, for she has walked off with a deliberate step. "Good night to all," she cries boldly. Their reply is lost in the cracking of the whip and the noise of the Roseland continuing its road onwards.

Blandine had never felt fear. And then this evening everybody was merry-making. Who would think of doing harm to a child?

Just before, however, at table, after the attack on the grub, they had related plenty of painful, terrifying adventures. Thus,