But no suspicious noise troubled the peace of the beautiful valley encircled on this side by the forest of Nodesme.

Marthe, exhausted and trembling, was awaiting some explanation of their hurried ride.

What was she engaged in?
Was she to aid in a good deed or an evil one?
At that instant Michu bent to his wife's ear and whispered:-- "Go the house and ask to speak to the Comtesse de Cinq-Cygne; when you see her beg her to speak to you alone.

If no one can overhear you, say to her: 'Mademoiselle, the lives of your two cousins are in danger, and he who can explain the how and why is waiting to speak to you.' If she seems afraid, if she distrusts you, add these words: 'They are conspiring against the First Consul and the conspiracy is discovered.' Don't give your name; they distrust us too much." Marthe raised her face towards her husband and said:-- "Can it be that you serve them ?" "What if I do ?" he said, frowning, taking her words as a reproach.
"You don't understand me," cried Marthe, seizing his large hand and falling on her knees beside him as she kissed it and covered it with her tears.
"Go, go, you shall cry later," he said, kissing her vehemently.
When he no longer heard her step his eyes filled with tears.

He had distrusted Marthe on account of her father's opinions; he had hidden the secrets of his life from her; but the beauty of her simple nature had suddenly appeared to him, just as the grandeur of his had, as suddenly, revealed itself to her.