While he stood
there, he saw Jean Lacheneur and Chanlouineau leave the house, each
laden with a pedler's pack.
Maurice was therefore sure that M. Lacheneur and Marie-Anne were alone
in the house.
He hastened to the cottage and entered without stopping to rap.
Marie-Anne and her father were kneeling on the hearth, upon which a huge
fire was blazing.
On hearing the door open, they turned; and at the sight of Maurice, they
both sprang up, blushing and confused.
"What brings you here?" they exclaimed in the same breath.
Under other circumstances, Maurice d'Escorval would have been dismayed
by such a hostile greeting, but now he scarcely noticed it.
"You have no business to return here against my wishes, and after what I
have said to you, Monsieur d'Escorval," said Lacheneur, rudely.
Maurice smiled, he was perfectly cool, and not a detail of the scene
before him had escaped his notice. If he had felt any doubts before,
they were now dissipated. He saw upon the fire a large kettle of
melted lead, and several bullet-moulds stood on the hearth, beside the
andirons.
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