Then the priest took the hand of the young man and
leading him up to the bed, he placed his hand in that
of his wife, and gave it a little tap as though to
unite them more closely. Then laying aside his
professional tone and manner, he said with a satisfied
air: “Well, now, that’s done.
Believe me, that is the best thing to do.”
The two hands, joined for a moment, separated immediately.
Julien, not daring to kiss Jeanne, kissed his mother-in-law
on the forehead, turned on his heel, took the arm
of the baron, who acquiesced, happy at heart that
the thing had been settled thus, and they went out
together to smoke a cigar.
The patient, overcome, dozed off, while the priest
and little mother talked in a low tone.
The priest explained and propounded his ideas, to
which the baroness assented by nodding her head.
He said in conclusion: “Well, then, that
is understood; you will give this girl the Barville
farm, and I will undertake to find her a husband,
a good, steady fellow. Oh! with a property worth
twenty thousand francs we shall have no lack of suitors.
There will be more than enough to choose from.”
The baroness was smiling now, quite happy, with the
remains of two tears that had dried on her cheeks.
She repeated: “That is settled. Barville
is worth at least twenty thousand francs, but it will
be settled on the child, the parents having the use
of it during their lifetime.”
The cure rose, shook little mother’s hand, saying:
“Do not disturb yourself, Madame la Baronne,
do not disturb yourself; I know what an effort it
is.”
As he went out he met Aunt Lison coming to see her
patient. She noticed nothing; they told her nothing;
and she knew nothing, as usual.
* * * *
*
MATERNITY
Rosalie had left the house. Jeanne felt no joy
at the thought of being a mother, she had had so much
sorrow. She awaited the advent of her child without
curiosity, still filled with the apprehension of unknown
misfortunes.
A big woman, big as a house, had taken Rosalie’s
place and supported the baroness in her monotonous
walks along her avenue. The baron gave his arm
to Jeanne, who was now always ailing, while Aunt Lison,
uneasy, and busied about the approaching event, held
her other hand, bewildered at this mystery which she
would never know.
They all walked along like this almost in silence
for hours at a time, while Julien was riding about
the country on horseback, having suddenly acquired
this taste. Nothing ever came to disturb their
dreary life. The baron, his wife, and the vicomte
paid a visit to the Fourvilles, whom Julien seemed
to be already well acquainted with, without one knowing
just how. Another ceremonious visit was exchanged
with the Brisevilles, who were still hidden in their
manor house.
One afternoon, about four o’clock, two persons,
a lady and gentleman on horseback, rode up into the
courtyard of the chateau. Julien, greatly excited,
ran up to Jeanne’s room. “Quick, quick,
come downstairs; here are the Fourvilles. They
have just come as neighbors, knowing your condition.
Tell them that I have gone out, but that I will be
back. I will just go and make myself presentable.”
