[节选]THE MILLERS DAUGHTER

It may well be imagined what a blow this was to Pere Merlier.  He

said nothing, according to his custom, but his face grew thoughtful

and his internal gaiety no longer sparkled in his eyes.  He looked

gruff for a week.  Francoise also was exceedingly grave.  What

tormented Pere Merlier was to find out how this rogue of a poacher

had managed to fascinate his daughter.  Dominique had never visited

the mill.  The miller watched and saw the gallant on the other side

of the Morelle, stretched out upon the grass and feigning to be

asleep.  Francoise could see him from her chamber window. 

Everything was plain: they had fallen in love by casting sheep's

eyes at each other over the mill wheel.



Another week went by.  Francoise became more and more grave.  Pere

Merlier still said nothing.  Then one evening he himself silently

brought in Dominique.  Francoise at that moment was setting the

table.  She did not seem astonished; she contented herself with

putting on an additional plate, knife and fork, but the little

dimples were again seen in her cheeks, and her smile reappeared. 

That morning Pere Merlier had sought out Dominique in his hut on the

border of the wood.



There the two men had talked for three hours with doors and windows

closed.  What was the purport of their conversation no one ever

knew.  Certain it was, however, that Pere Merlier, on taking his

departure, already called Dominique his son-in-law.  Without doubt

the old man had found the youth he had gone to seek a worthy youth

in the lazy fellow who stretched himself out upon the grass to make

the girls fall in love with him.