But his heart was too full; he could say no more.
"Yes, yes, I know," cried Louise, laughing. "Mother Lefevre told me all."
"How is that! You know all and only laugh? Well, it proves your good sense. I expected to see you weep."
"Weep? And why, Father Jean-Claude? Oh! never fear for me; I am brave. You do not know me."
Her air was so prettily resolute that Hullin could not help smiling; but his smile quickly disappeared when she added:
"We are going to have war; we are going to fight, to defend the mountains!"
"_We_ are going! _We_ are going!" exclaimed the good man, astounded.
"Certainly. Are we not?" she asked, her smile disappearing at once.
"I must leave you for some time, my child."
"Leave me? Oh! no, no. I will go with you; it is agreed. See, my little bundle is all ready, and I am making up yours. Do not be uneasy; let me fix everything, and you will be satisfied."
"But, Louise," he cried, "you are dreaming. Think, my child! We must pass long winter nights without a roof to cover us; we must bear hardship, fatigue, cold, snow, hunger, and countless dangers! A musket-ball would mar my pretty bird's beauty."
"You are only trying your little Louise," cried she, now in tears, and flinging herself upon his neck. "You will not leave me here alone."
"But you will be better here; you will have a good fire and food. Besides, you will receive news of us every day."
"No, no! I will go with you; I care not for cold. And I have been shut up here too long; I want the fresh air. The birds are out; the redbreasts are out all winter; and did I not know what hunger was when a child? Mother Lefevre says I may go; and will you whom I love so much be more cruel than she?"
Brave Jean-Claude sat down, his heart full of bitter sorrow. He turned away his head that she might not see the struggle going on within, while Louise eagerly continued:
"I will be safe; I will follow you. The cold! What is the cold to me? And if you should be wounded--if you should wish to see your little Louise for the last time, and she not be near to take care of you--to love you to the last! Oh! you must think me hard-hearted!"
She sobbed; Hullin could hold out no longer.
"Is it indeed true that Mother Lefevre consents?" he asked.