I try not to meddle in Michaud's affairs, but I do know that he distrusts the peasants so much that he goes armed, even in broad daylight, when he enters the forest.

He warns his men to be always on the alert.

Every now and then things happen about here that bode no good.

The other day I was walking along the wall, near the source of that little sandy rivulet which comes from the forest and enters the park through a culvert about five hundred feet from here,--you know it, madame?
it is called Silver Spring, because of the star-flowers Bouret is said to have sown there.

Well, I overheard the talk of two women who were washing their linen just where the path to Conches crosses the brook; they did not know I was there.