"
"Not for ever, father," said Marie, kissing the old man's face, "Henri
and I still look forward to having our wedding fete; perhaps in
Paris--perhaps in dear La Vendee, when we shall once more be able to
call our old homes our own; then we will make you, and Agatha, and
Victorine, make up fivefold for all that has been omitted now. Will we
not, Henri?"
Below stairs, Chapeau and Annot, wisely thinking that no time was like
the present, endeavoured to be as gay as they would have been had they
enjoyed their marriage-feast in the smith's own cottage; one or two of
Chapeau's friends were asked on the occasion, and among them, Plume
condescended to regale himself though the cheer was spread in the
kitchen instead of in the parlour. Michael, now relieved from the
presence of aristocracy, eat and drank himself into good humour; and
even received, with grim complacency, the jokes of his Sons, who
insisted on drinking to his health as a new recruit to the famous
regiment which was drawn from the parish of Echanbroignes.
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