4. A Story of Brigands

“She summoned up all her courage, in order not to refuse the gift, and asked him where he had obtained a jewel of such great value.

“‘If my question embarrasses him,’ she said to herself, ‘if any hesitancy can be seen in his manner, it will be a proof that he is not altogether hardened.’

“But he answered almost gaily, ‘I obtained it in hunting, my dear.’

“‘Hunting? ’ she said.

“And at the same time, she thought: ‘Whatever happens. I will keep on. I wish to know from himself for what I am to be prepared.’ She then added, ‘Hunting jewels, in truth that is a new kind of chase, which you must have devised, for in all my life I never heard of so strange a hunt.’

“‘Less strange than you think,’ he said, but very tiresome, so tiresome even, that after having engaged in it, the strongest person has need of rest. That is my case just now, my dear, and with your permission, we are all going to sleep. I am overcome with fatigue. In a few days, if you are good, I will take you to one of these hunts, and I hope you will enjoy it.’

“Thereupon he left her, laughing with a laugh that made her shiver, and went to rest himself in a wing of the old mansion where they lived. His companions did the same.

In a few moments she was the only one awake in the château.

“When she was sure of this, she said to herself, ‘Now is the time to escape!’”

Just then the Envoy felt Maroussia’s hand press quickly his own.

“What is it?” he said.

Maroussia, putting her finger on her lips to enjoin silence, showed him two green eyes which shone in a large bush on the side of the road.

The Envoy had a holly stick in his hand. He went straight to the thicket.

“Take care!” the child cried to him.

But he had already reached it. A singular noise was heard, it was the flapping of the wings of a great bird of prey, which, disturbed in its retreat, flew heavily away, giving a mournful cry.

“Is it a bad sign?” asked Maroussia.

“There are no bad signs,” answered her good friend, giving her a little tap on the cheek.