of whom we shall speak presently, the grave-digger, are
always the _esprits forts_ of the place. They are so much in the habit
of talking of ghosts, and are so well acquainted with all the tricks
of which these evil spirits are capable, that they scarcely fear them
at all. It is especially in the night that all these worthies,
grave-diggers, flaxdressers, and ghosts, exercise their industry. It
is in the night also the flaxdresser relates his lamentable stories.
But he is no more than the sacristan addicted exclusively to the
pleasure of inspiring his auditors with fear; he delights in raising a
laugh; and is jocose and sentimental by turns, when he comes to speak
of love and Hymen. He is the man to collect and store up in memory the
most ancient songs, and to hand them down to posterity; and, as usual,
he was in the present instance the person charged with the
presentation of the wedding-gifts at the nuptials of Marie.

As soon as all were assembled in the house, the doors and windows were
closed with the greatest care; the very leucomb shutter of the granary
was barricaded; planks, trussels, and tables were put up across all
the points of egress, as if one was preparing to sustain a siege; and
within this fortification reigned a solemn silence of expectation,
until from a distance were heard singing, laughter, and the sound of
rustic instruments. These were the bridegroom's band, Germain at its
head, accompanied by his stoutest companions, the grave-digger,
kinsfolk, friends, and servants, who formed a joyous and solid
_cortege_.

As they approached the house, however, they slackened their pace,
consulted together, and were silent. The young girls, shut up in the
house, had contrived to find little slits in the windows, through
which they watched the procession as it arrived, and formed in order
of battle. A fine chilly rain fell, which added to the excitement of
the situation, whilst a large fire crackled and blazed on the hearth
within doors. Marie would gladly have shortened the inevitable
slowness of this state of siege: she did not at all like to see her
betrothed dawdling about in the wet and cold; but she had no voice in
the affair--nay, she had even to share ostensibly in the cruelty of
her companions.

When the two camps were thus pitched in face of one another, a
discharge of firearms from the party without doors set all the dogs in
the neighbourhood in commotion: those belonging to the house flew to
th