and there's a forest; we have wild-boars, large and small game both, a
little of everything," replied Michu, in a truculent manner.

"I'll bet, Corentin," said the elder of the two men, after exchanging
a glance with his companion, "that this is my friend Michu--"

"We never kept pigs together that I know of," said the bailiff.

"No, but we both presided over Jacobins, citizen," replied the old
cynic,--"you at Arcis, I elsewhere. I see you've kept your Carmagnole
civility, but it's no longer in fashion, my good fellow."

"The park strikes me as rather large; we might lose our way. If you
are really the bailiff show us the path to the chateau," said
Corentin, in a peremptory tone.

Michu whistled to his son and continued to load his gun. Corentin
looked at Marthe with indifference, while his companion seemed charmed
by her; but the young man noticed the signs of her inward distress,
which escaped the old libertine, who had, however, noticed and feared
the gun. The natures of the two men were disclosed in this trifling
yet important circumstance.

"I've an appointment the other side of the forest," said the bailiff.
"I can't go with you, but my son here will take you to the chateau.
How did you get to Gondreville? did you come by Cinq-Cygne?"

"We had, like yourself, business in the forest," said Corentin,
without apparent sarcasm.