One fine morning the son of Touchard, the cooper, at the other end of the street, came and asked him for the hand of Rose, the second girl.  The old man’s heart began to beat, for the Touchards were rich and in a good position.  He was decidedly lucky with his girls.

The marriage was agreed upon, and it was settled that it should be a grand affair, and the wedding dinner was to be held at Sainte-Adresse, at Mother Jusa’s restaurant.  It would cost a lot certainly, but never mind, it did not matter just for once in a way.

But one morning, just as the old man was going home to luncheon with his two daughters, the door opened suddenly, and Anna appeared.  She was well dressed and looked undeniably pretty and nice.  She threw her arms round her father’s neck before he could say a word, then fell into her sisters’ arms with many tears and then asked for a plate, so that she might share the family soup.  Taille was moved to tears in his turn and said several times: 

“That is right, dear, that is right.”

Then she told them about herself.  She did not wish Rose’s wedding to take place at Sainte-Adresse—­certainly not.  It should take place at her house and would cost her father nothing.  She had settled everything and arranged everything, so it was “no good to say any more about it—­there!”

“Very well, my dear! very well!” the old man said; “we will leave it so.”  But then he felt some doubt.  Would the Touchards consent?  But Rose, the bride-elect, was surprised and asked:  “Why should they object, I should like to know?  Just leave that to me; I will talk to Philip about it.”

She mentioned it to her lover the very same day, and he declared it would suit him exactly.  Father and Mother Touchard were naturally delighted at the idea of a good dinner which would cost them nothing and said: 

“You may be quite sure that everything will be in first-rate style.”

They asked to be allowed to bring a friend, Madame Florence, the cook on the first floor, and Anna agreed to everything.

The wedding was fixed for the last Tuesday of the month.

After the civil formalities and the religious ceremony the wedding party went to Anna’s house.  Among those whom the Tailles had brought was a cousin of a certain age, a Monsieur Sauvetanin, a man given to philosophical reflections, serious, and always very self-possessed, and Madame Lamondois, an old aunt.

Monsieur Sautevanin had been told off to give Anna his arm, as they were looked upon as the two most important persons in the company.

As soon as they had arrived at the door of Anna’s house she let go her companion’s arm, and ran on ahead, saying:  “I will show you the way,” and ran upstairs while the invited guests followed more slowly; and, when they got upstairs, she stood on one side to let them pass, and they rolled their eyes and turned their heads in all directions to admire this mysterious and luxurious dwelling.