That was the magic destiny de Mauprat figured for her.

It did not elate her, it did not disturb her; she scarcely realised it.

She loved animals, and she saw no reason to despise a stalwart youth.

It had been her fortune to know two or three in the casual, unconventional manner of villages, and there were few in the land, great or humble, who did not turn twice to look at her as she passed through the Vier Marchi, so noble was her carriage, so graceful and buoyant her walk, so lacking in self-consciousness her beauty.

More than one young gentleman of family had been known to ride through the Place du Vier Prison, hoping to get sight of her, and to offer the view of a suggestively empty pillion behind him.
She had, however, never listened to flatterers, and only one youth of Jersey had footing in the cottage.