Suddenly, the sound of voices reached his ears, and, looking more closely, he perceived Reine and Claudet walking side by side down the narrow path.

The evening air softened the resonance of the voices, so that the words themselves were not audible, but the intonation of the alternate speakers, and their confidential and friendly gestures, evinced a very animated, if not tender, exchange of sentiments.

At times the conversation was enlivened by Claudet's bursts of laughter, or an amicable gesture from Reine.

At one moment, Julien saw the young girl lay her hand familiarly on the shoulder of the 'grand chssserot', and immediately a pang of intense jealousy shot through his heart.

At last the young pair arrived at the banks of a stream, which traversed the path and had become swollen by the recent heavy rains.