It is the gift that she has, and I shall tell her of your praise." But Robert was not thinking of the pastry.

It was of the arrow that he spoke as dessert, although the excellent Monsieur Jolivet was destined never to know the hidden significance of his words.

The room which he showed them with so much pride was a large apartment worthy of their praise, having a polished, shining floor of oak, with furs spread here and there upon it, and a low ceiling crossed with mighty beams also of oak.

Robert looked at the windows, three in number, and he saw with satisfaction that they had heavy shutters.

Monsieur Jolivet's glance followed his own, and he said: "The shutters are for use in the winter, when the great colds come, and the fierce winds rage.