Henri, though he well knew the difficulties which were before him, could
not but be triumphant as he listened to the cheers of his followers; he
had certainly been pre-eminently successful in the first attempts which
had been made under his own sole command; and it is not surprising that
this, joined to the confidence of youth, should have made him feel
himself equal almost to any enterprise. Then another subject of joy
filled his heart; Marie had promised that if the Vendeans were now
successful, if they could look forward to spending one quiet week in
Laval, she would no longer refuse to join her hand to his and become
bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh--that promise she would now
realize; and therefore as he rode back through the gate of Laval, Henri
felt happier than he had done for many a long, weary, tedious day.
CHAPTER XII
VENDEAN MARRIAGES
The young General's good news had preceded him, and when he entered the
room where his friends were assembled, they were one and all ready to
embrace and congratulate their successful soldier; he received the
blessing of his father, the praises of de Lescure, the thanks and
admiration of Madame de Lescure, and what he valued more than all,
Marie's acknowledgments of the promise she gave him, when last he left
her side.
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