them come,
that's all!" But the other young fellow began to laugh, and said: "I do
not think you will neglect your business for them!"

The whole table was convulsed with laughter, so that the glasses shook,
but the bridegroom became furious at the thought that anybody would
profit by his wedding to come and poach on his land, and repeated: "I
only say: Just let them come!"

Then there was a flood of talk with a double meaning which made the
bride blush somewhat, although she was trembling with expectation, and
when they had emptied the kegs of brandy they all went to bed; the young
couple went into their own room, which was on the ground floor, as most
rooms in farmhouses are. As it was very warm, they opened the window and
closed the shutters. A small lamp in bad taste, a present from the
bride's father, was burning on the chest of drawers, and the bed stood
ready to receive the young people, who did not stand upon all the
ceremony which is usual among towns-people, in their first embraces.

The young woman had already taken off her wreath and her dress, and she
was in her petticoat, unlacing her boots, while Jean was finishing his
cigar, and looking at her out of the corners of his eyes. It was an
ardent look, more sensual than tender, for he felt more desire than
love for her, and suddenly with a brusque movement, like a man who is
going to set to work, he took off his coat. She had already taken off
her boots, and was now pulling off her stockings, and then she said to
him: "Go and hide yourself behind the curtains while I get into bed."

He seemed as if he were going to refuse, but then with a cunning look he
went and hid himself with the exception of his head. She laughed and
tried to cover up his eyes, and they romped in an amorous and happy
manner, without shame or embarrassment. At last he did as she asked him,
and in a moment she unfastened her petticoat, which slipped down her
legs, fell at her feet and lay on the ground in a circle. She left it
there, stooped over it, naked with the exception of her floating
chemise, and slipped into the bed, whose springs creaked beneath her
weight. He immediately went up to her, without his shoes and in his
trousers, and stooping over his wife he sought her lips, which she hid
beneath the pillow, when a shot was heard in the distance, in the
direction of the forest of Rapees, as he thought.

He raised himself anxiously and with his heart beating, and running to
the