"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 _fête_ 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 Séguins, and now their very house would soon be invaded by Ambroise, while the Beauchêne 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 other affianced pair, Ambroise and Andrée, who were to be conducted in triumph to the farm where they would all lunch together. It would be a kind of wedding rehearsal, she exclaimed with her hearty laugh; they would be able to arrange the programme for the great day. And her idea enraptured her to such a point, she seemed to anticipate so much delight from this preliminary festival, that Mathieu and Marianne consented to it.