Valentine, on being approached, at first
manifested some surprise. What, a son of the Froments! Those Froments had
already taken Chantebled from them, and did they now want to take one of
their daughters? Then, amid the collapse of fortune and household, she
could find no reasonable objection to urge. She had never been attached
to Andree. She accused La Catiche, the nurse, of having made the child
her own. That gentle, docile, emotional little sheep was not a Seguin,
she often remarked. Then, while feigning to defend the girl, Celeste
embittered her mother against her, and inspired her with a desire to see
the marriage promptly concluded, in order that she might free herself
from her last cares and live as she wished. Thus, after a long chat with
Mathieu, who promised his consent, it remained only for Du Hordel to
assure himself of Seguin's approval before an application in due form was
made. It was difficult, however, to find Seguin in a suitable frame of
mind. So weeks were lost, and it became necessary to pacify Ambroise, who
was very much in love, and was doubtless warned by his all-invading
genius that this loving and simple girl would bring him a kingdom in her
apron.
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