Part 1, Adam's Story: Adam Valluy's Adventure Begins ~ Scene 2

Some time passed before Adam could fulfill his promise to his friend’s widow. Finally, the feast day of Saint Jean Baptiste coincided with an opportunity to leave work and home for two full days. It was a beautiful June day when he set off walking on the highroad across the flat irrigated fields of northeast France. He had hardly ever been outside the walls of the city before but his priest gave him good directions and many warnings. France and Spain were at war and rumors of a possible enemy invasion were in the air. Adam was still young; he was 24, and did not worry overmuch about tidings of war on his adventure. The directions from the priest brought him successfully to his destination, about ten miles from the city. It was late in the afternoon on the feast day. He went to the church to inquire and the priest directed him to Gervais Corton, the village wheelwright and Clovis’ brother. On the way, he stopped by the well for a drink and met a young woman. They exchanged banter and Adam went on his way enthralled by her bold charms. He found Gervais at the tavern and delivered the news. Gervais shrugged and treated everyone to a round of drinks in honor of his wayward brother. He advised Adam to seek out their older sister, Liesbeth, married to Hubert Niel, the village shoemaker, she would care more he was sure. That night he stayed at the tavern dreaming of the entrancing young woman at the well. Perhaps he would see her again! The following morning he sought out the workshop and residence of Hubert Niel. The shoemaker stopped his work and shrewdly looked him over. When he heard the news of his errand, he shrugged and called out for Clemence. The “young woman of the well” came down to the shop. She was Hubert’s daughter! Adam was captivated again and thanked various saints for his good fortune. Clemence brought him upstairs to meet her mother, the sister of Clovis. Madame Niel was sitting in a darkened parlour staring out the open window. She received the news without much interest and accepted the gift of a lock of Clovis’ hair from his widow. Afterwards, Clemence, enjoying the novelty of a stranger in town, took him around the village, all the while flirting with him in a most forward manner. He stayed that night at the tavern and the following day came by the shop to say good-bye. She was cool to him then and seemed to think his leaving was of no account. He went homeward; burning with passion and with what he thought was love. He vowed to return.

See Source note 2 for more information about Sainte Marie Kerque

Notes and Sources

Contemporary image courtesy of La Voix du Nord, https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/region/saint-omer-et-ses-environs/sainte-marie-kerque