"Very well," replied Jaqueline, "I don't mind talking a great deal, if that will be of any service: but what must it be about?"
"Speak kindly! why, how can I speak in any other way to such a nice good old man as you are?"
"No, no, not very old. Don't talk so," said the priest, reproachfully.
"Well then, I won't," continued Jaqueline--"for I'll please you, if I can; and, now I look at you again, really I shouldn't have thought you'd been so old as you are, if I didn't remember that, when I was a child, you looked much the same as you do now; and I've heard my father say----"
"Never mind what, my dear. Don't mention it."
"Very well, father, then I've done, though I can't see how it signifies about your age, when you are so hearty and strong as you are."
"Do you really think so?" inquired the delighted priest.
"Why, of course. One has only to look at you, and see that plain enough," said Jaqueline; and then, perceiving the sort of talk that was most likely to be agreeable to her companion, she continued to compliment him upon his good looks till they arrived at the ruins.
The old lady was absent; but Father Dunstan said he knew her well, and that she would be very angry if he did not make himself quite at home. So he prevailed upon Jaqueline to consider herself as his guest till their hostess's return; and bestirring himself with the alacrity of a youth, he had put up the horses, spread the table-cloth, lighted the fire, and was beating up an omelet, before Jaqueline had finished her simple toilet. When she expressed her wish to take the culinary department, he gently, but firmly and respectfully, requested her to take a seat, and let him have his own way, which she accordingly did, marvelling exceedingly at his dexterity and accurate knowledge of the contents of the old lady's larder, and the spot in which everything was kept.
In due time they sate down to dine, and his attention to her during the meal was excessive, and therefore tiresome to one unused to form and ceremony. So, when it was finished, she reminded him of his old habit of taking a nap in the afternoon, and recommended him to do so on the present occasion, hinting, at the same time, her hope that, when he had so refreshed himself, he would be ready to escort her to the Cock and Bottle. But at this last suggestion he shook his head, and said something about the horses being tired, and then yawned and took a glass of wine, and then yawned again, and so on till he fell asleep.