this slight unnoticed, and began in her own mind to compare the superior manner of the stranger with that of her careless and sulky lover.
She mused a good deal on this adventure, and the more she thought of it the more she wished to know who the stranger could he. She had heard that it was possible to know the future, by consulting an oracle at the Creux de Soucy ; but the curé of Vassivière had forbidden any visits to that spot for such a purpose, and she feared to disobey his commands.
She was one day standing in the midst of the blue flowers of her pretty little flax-field, and thinking over these things, when an old woman, who mounted the hill with difficulty, from her infirmities, approached her gate, and asked alms. Elphege, who was very charitable, relieved her; upon which the old woman exclaimed—“May you have as handsome a husband as the Creux de Soucy can give !”
She was startled at these words, and asked the old woman their meaning.
“Oh !” said she, “I only meant that it is lucky to try your fortune there : most of the young girls who consult the oracle get a good match.”
Elphège could not rest from that moment, and at last determined to go to the Creux, and learn her fate. She took with her a small bundle of flax as an offering to the Spirit who was supposed to preside over the spot ; and on arriving at the abyss, she knelt down, and whispered the question usually put, which was an inquiry as to who should be her future husband : she could not, in spite of herself, help thinking of Biaise, as she threw the flax into the dark gulf which yawned at her feet, but the image of the stranger of the market occurred to her at the same time.
A hollow sound was returned from the Creux, as the flax, attached to a stone, plashed in the water, deep below the mouth of the cavern, and words were sent forth to this effect :—
“Go to Lake Pavin, and know.”
She shuddered as she listened ; and, rising from her knees, turned to leave the place. In trembling haste, she emerged from the gloomy hollow where the cavern was situated, and had scarcely done so, when, looking up, she beheld Biaise in her path.
She coloured deeply, as he addressed her with more boldness than was usual with him. “Elphège,” said he, “is it necessary for you to ask at the Creux your fate, when your own will could fix it at once ? Why do you go there, when our curé has forbidden it? It will bring ill luck.”
“I require no advice,” answered she, pettishly, as she hurried past him, and went on her way to her cottage. He looked after her, reproachfully; and as she entered the flax-field, she observed that he was returning towards Vassivière, and did not attempt to follow her.
“Sister,” said she, “the afternoon is so fine, that I will lead the goats to browse by the great lake.”
As her sister never contradicted her wishes, she made no difficulties ; and Elphège took her distaff and spindle, and driving her goats before her, went up the mountain.
She seated herself on a block of stone beside the clear water, on which the sun shone brightly, and fixed her eyes on the centre of the lake, above the gulf; for there, it was said, whatever was thrown into the Creux de Soucy would reappear, if fate was propitious, and the Spirit was satisfied.
Presently, she observed a great commotion, and the waves, sparkling and foaming, threw up something which she recognised as her bundle of flax. At this moment, one of her goats uttered a cry which made her turn her head, and she saw, advancing towards her, from behind a ledge of rocks, a young man, whom she was not long in recollecting as the stranger of Besse. He approached with smiles and a bright countenance, and, to her surprise, presented her with a bundle of flax.
“This,” said he, “belongs to you ; the waters of the lake have thrown it on the shore, and I was so lucky as to have found it.” He said much more after this, and seating himself by her side, told her that he had long admired her, and sought an opportunity of addressing her ; he said that he was rich, and had it in his power to make her fortune ; that his home was on the other side of the mountains, where he had a large farm, and if she would consent to be his, he would endow her with riches, and make her the greatest person in the country.
Finding that she hesitated, he told her that he would give her three days to consider of his offer, and begged she would meet him by the lake at the end of that
