His wife stood near him; and Camors had remarked that in all classes of society women have more wit and goodhumor than their husbands.

Therefore he turned to her and said: "You see, my good woman, I am a stranger here.

To whom does that house belong?
Probably to Monsieur des Rameures ?" "No, no," replied the woman, "Monsieur des Rameures lives much farther on." "Ah! Then who lives here ?" "Why, Monsieur de Tecle, of course!" "Ah, Monsieur de Tecle! But tell me, he does not live alone?
There is a lady who sings--his wife ?--his sister?
Who is she ?" "Ah, that is his daughter-in-law, Madame de Tecle Madame Elise, who--" "Ah! thank you, thank you, my good woman! You have children?
Buy them sabots with this," and drop ping a gold piece in the lap of the obliging peasant, Camors walked rapidly away.

Returning home the road seemed less gloomy and far shorter than when he came.

As he strode on, humming the Bach prelude, the moon rose, the country looked more beautiful, and, in short, when he perceived, at the end of its gloomy avenue, his chateau bathed in the white light, he found the spectacle rather enjoyable than otherwise.