at village weddings. This is an abuse which, I
sincerely hope, Civilization will never reform. Under cover of the
noise, Fougas entered into conversation, or thought he did, with his
left-hand neighbor. "Clementine!" he said to her. She raised her eyes,
and her nose too, and responded:

"Yes, monsieur."

"My heart has not deceived me, then?--you are indeed my Clementine!"

"Yes, monsieur."

"And you have recognized me, noble and excellent woman!"

"Yes, monsieur."

"But how did you conceal your emotion so well?---- How strong women
are!---- I fall from the skies into the midst of your peaceful
existence, and you see me without moving a muscle!"

"Yes, monsieur."

"Have you forgiven me for a seeming injury for which Destiny alone is
responsible?"

"Yes, monsieur."

"Thanks! A thousand thanks!---- What a charming family you have about
you! This good Pierre, who almost opened his arms on seeing me approach,
is my son, is he not?"

"Yes, monsieur."

"Rejoice! He shall be rich! He already has happiness; I bring him
fortune. His portion shall be a million. Oh, Clementine! what a
commotion there will be in this simple assembly, when I raise my voice
and say to my son: 'Here! this million is for you!' Is it a good time
now? Shall I speak? Shall I tell all?"

"Yes, monsieur."

Fougas immediately arose, and requested silence. The people thought he
was going to sing a song, and all kept quiet.

"Pierre Langevin," said he with emphasis, "I have come back from the
other world, and brought you a million."

If Big Peter did not want to get angry, he at least got red, and the
joke seemed to him in bad taste. But when Fougas announced that he had
loved the grandmother in her youth, grandfather Langevin no longer
hesitated to fling a bottle at his head. The Colonel's son, his splendid
grandchildren, and even the bride all jumped up in high dudgeon and
there was a very pretty scrimmage indeed.

For the first time in his life, Fougas did not get the upper hand. He
was afraid that he might injure some of his family. Paternal affection
robbed him of three quarters of his power.

But having learned during the clamor that Clementine was called
Catharine, and that Pierre Langevin was born in 1810, he resumed the
offensive, blacked three eyes, broke an arm, mashed two noses, knocked
in four dozen teeth, and regained his carriage with all the honors of
war.

"Devil take the children!" said he, while riding in a post-ch