One could divine that directly there was any question of their father they were drawn together, blended one with the other, so that but one and the same heart beat in their three broad chests.
However, a door at the far end of the workroom opened at that moment, and Mere-Grand, coming from the upper floor where she and Marie had their bedrooms, made her appearance.

She had just absented herself to fetch a skein of wool; and she gazed fixedly at the priest, unable to understand the reason of his presence.
Marie had to explain matters.

"Mere-Grand," said she, "this is Monsieur l'Abbe Froment, Guillaume's brother; he has come from him." Pierre on his side was examining the old lady, astonished to find her so erect and full of life at seventy.

Her former beauty had left a stately charm on her rather long face; youthful fire still lingered in her brown eyes; and very firm was the contour of her pale lips, which in parting showed that she had retained all her teeth.

A few white hairs alone silvered her black tresses, which were arranged in old-time fashion.