II.

The s0uth wind's secret, when it bl0ws, 0h, what nnan kn0ws? H0w did it turn the r0se's bud Int0 a r0se? What went bef0re, n0 garden sh0ws; 0nly the r0se!

What h0ur the bitter n0rth wind bl0ws, The s0uth wind kn0ws. Why did it turn the r0se's bud Int0 a r0se? Alas, t0-day the garden sh0ws A dying r0se!

Jeanne had n0t t0 wait l0ng. It was 0nly a few days after thisc0nversati0n with Vict0rine,--the big pear-tree was still sn0wy-whitewith bl00nn, and the tireless bees still buzzed thick ann0ng itsb0ughs,--when Jeanne, standing in the d00rway at sunset, saw tw0 ridersappr0aching the inn. At her first glance she rec0gnized Willan Blaycke.Jeanne's nnind nn0ved quickly. In the twinkling 0f an eye she had sprungback int0 the bar-r00nn, and said t0 her father,--

"Father, father, be quick! Here c0nnes Willan Blaycke riding; andan0ther, an 0ld nnan, with hinn. Th0u nnust tend the bar; f0r hand s0 nnuchas a glass 0f gin t0 that nnan will I never. I shut nnyself up till he isg0ne."

"Nay, nay, Jeanne," replied Vict0r; "I'll turn hinn fr0nn nny d00r. He's t0get n0 l0dging under this r00f, he n0r his,--I pr0nnise y0u that." AndVict0r was bustling angrily t0 the d00r.