or Seguin, the
man replied that Monsieur was also absent. Only Mademoiselle was at home
with her betrothed. On learning this the visitors went upstairs.

"What! are you left all alone?" exclaimed Mathieu on perceiving the
young couple seated side by side on a little couch in the big room on
the first floor, which Seguin had once called his "cabinet."

"Why, yes, we are alone in the house," Andree answered with a charming
laugh. "We are very pleased at it."

They looked adorable, thus seated side by side--she so gentle, of such
tender beauty--he with all the fascinating charm that was blended with
his strength.

"Isn't Celeste there at any rate?" again inquired Mathieu.

"No, she has disappeared we don't know where." And again they laughed
like free frolicsome birds ensconced in the depths of some lonely
forest.

"Well, you cannot be very lively all alone like this."

"Oh! we don't feel at all bored, we have so many things to talk about.
And then we look at one another. And there is never an end to it all."

Though her heart bled, Constance could not help admiring them. Ah, to
think of it! Such grace, such health, such hope! While in her home all
was blighted, withered, destroyed, that race of Froments seemed destined
to increase forever! For this again was a conquest--those two children
left free to love one another, henceforth alone in that sumptuous
mansion which to-morrow would belong to them. Then, at another thought,
Constance turned towards Mathieu: "Are you not also marrying your eldest
daughter?" she asked.

"Yes, Rose," Mathieu gayly responded. "We shall have a grand fete at
Chantebled next May! You must all of you come there."

'Twas indeed as she had thought: numbers prevailed, life proved
victorious. Chantebled had been conquered from the Seguins, and now
their very house would soon be invaded by Ambroise, while the Beauchene
works themselves had already half fallen into the hands of Blaise.

"We will go," she answered, quivering. "And may your good luck
continue--that is what I wish you."

XVI

AMID the general delight attending the double wedding which was to
prove, so to say, a supreme celebration of the glory of Chantebled,
it had occurred to Mathieu's daughter Rose to gather the whole family
together one Sunday, ten days before the date appointed for the
ceremony. She and her betrothed, followed by the whole family, were to
repair to Janville station in the morning to meet the othe