right, one must not
weep, your departure must be a fete, for the family does not separate,
it simply extends, invades, and conquers the world."

Nevertheless, on the day of farewell, after the marriage of Nicolas and
Lisbeth there was an hour of painful emotion at Chantebled. The family
had met to share a last meal all together, and when the time came for
the young and adventurous couple to tear themselves from the maternal
soil there were those who sobbed although they had vowed to be very
brave. Nicolas and Lisbeth were going off with little means, but rich in
hopes. Apart from the ten thousand francs of the wife's dowry they had
only been willing to take another ten thousand, just enough to provide
for the first difficulties. Might courage and labor therefore prove
sturdy artisans of conquest.

Young Benjamin, the last born of the brothers Froment, was particularly
upset by this departure. He was a delicate, good-looking child not yet
twelve years old, whom his parents greatly spoiled, thinking that he was
weak. And they were quite determined that they would at all events keep
him with them, so handsome did they find him with his soft limpid eyes
and beautiful curly hair. He was growing up in a languid way, dreamy,
petted, idle among his mother's skirts, like the one charming weakling
of that strong, hardworking family.

"Let me kiss you again, my good Nicolas," said he to his departing
brother. "When will you come back?"

"Never, my little Benjamin."

The boy shuddered.

"Never, never!" he repeated. "Oh! that's too long. Come back, come back
some day, so that I may kiss you again."

"Never," repeated Nicolas, turning pale himself. "Never, never."

He had lifted up the lad, whose tears were raining fast; and then for
all came the supreme grief, the frightful moment of the hatchet-stroke,
of the separation which was to be eternal.

"Good-by, little brother! Good-by, good-by, all of you!"

While Mathieu accompanied the future conqueror to the door for the last
time wishing him victory, Benjamin in wild grief sought a refuge beside
his mother who was blinded by her tears. And she caught him up with a
passionate clasp, as if seized with fear that he also might leave her.
He was the only one now left to them in the family nest.

XXI

AT the factory, in her luxurious house on the quay, where she had long
reigned as sovereign mistress, Constance for twelve years already
had been waiting for destiny, re