The less we give the neighbours to gossip about the better; for though your disguises are good, if sharp eyes are watching you they may note something in your walk or air that may excite suspicion." "That being arranged then you must excuse me, for it is just the time when the count was to arrive, and I fancy that he will be before rather than behind time." Indeed, upon reaching the door of his room Harry found the young count standing there.
"Oh, it is you, friend Harry! I have been here ten minutes, and I began to be afraid that something might have happened to you and to imagine all sorts of things." "It is still three or four minutes before the time we agreed upon, Victor," Harry said in a loud voice, for at this moment one of the other doors opened, and a woman came out with a basket in her arms.
"I have been looking about as usual, but without luck so far.

I suppose you have had no better fortune in your search for work ?" He had by this time unlocked his door, and the two entered together.
"I must call you by your Christian name, count, and will do so, if you don't mind, when alone as at other times, otherwise the title might slip out accidentally.

Will you, on your part, call me Henri?
As you know the marquis and his family called me Harry, which is the ordinary way in England of calling anyone whose name is Henry, that is unless he is a soft sort of fellow; but I must ask them to call me Henri now, Harry would never do here." "Have you seen them ?" was the count's first question.
"I have just left them, Victor, and if you look out from that window into the street you will in a few minutes see them also; they are just going for a ramble towards St.Denis, and we will follow them.
I thought it safer not to attract attention by going to the house, and I also thought that it would be more pleasant for you to talk to Mademoiselle de St.Caux out there in the fields, than in a little room with us present.
"Much more pleasant; indeed, I was wondering whether I should get an opportunity for a few minutes' talk alone with her." They both took their places at the open window and leaned out apparently chatting and carelessly watching what was passing in the street.
A quarter of an hour later they saw Louise Moulin and the girls come out of their house.
"We had better come away from the window now," Harry said; "Virginie might look up and nod, we can't be too careful." They waited three or four minutes to allow the others to get well ahead and then started out after them; they walked fast until they caught sight of the others, and then kept some distance behind until the party had left the town and were out among the fields which lay between Paris and St.Denis.They then quickened their pace and were soon up with them.
The greeting between the lovers was a silent one, few words were spoken, but their faces expressed their joy at meeting again after the perils through which they had passed; there was a little pause, and then Harry, as usual, took the lead.
"I will stroll on to St.Denis and back with Jeanne and Virginie; Madame Moulin can sit down on that log over there, and go on with her knitting; you, Victor, can ramble on with mademoiselle by that path through the field; we will agree to meet here again in an hour." This arrangement was carried out; Jeanne and Virginie really enjoyed their walk; the latter thought their disguise was great fun, and, being naturally a little mimic, imitated so well the walk and manner of the country children she had seen in her walks near the chateau that her sister and Harry were greatly amused.
"I like this too, Harry," Jeanne said.

"It would not be nice to be a peasant girl for many things; but it must be joyful to be able to walk, and run, and do just as you please, without having a gouvernante always with you to say, Hold up your head, Mademoiselle Jeanne; Do not swing your arms, Mademoiselle Jeanne; Please walk more sedately, Mademoiselle Jeanne.

Oh, it was hateful! Now we might run, mightn't we, Harry ?" "Oh, by the way, Jeanne, please call me Henri now; Harry is English, and people would notice directly if you happened to say it while anyone is near." "I like Harry best," Jeanne said; "but, of course, I should not say it before the people; but may we run just for once ?" "Certainly you may," Harry laughed; "you and Virginie can have a race to the corner of that wall." "Come on, Virginie," Jeanne cried as she started, and the two girls ran at full speed to the wall; Jeanne, however, completely distancing her younger sister.