And Mathieu, standing near Marianne, likewise
felt proud at finding himself, as he put it, among "the sacred battalion"
of his sons and daughters. To that battalion worthy Madame Desvignes
herself belonged, since her daughter Charlotte was adding soldiers to it
and helping it to become an army. Such as it was indeed, this was only
the beginning; later on the battalion would be seen ever increasing and
multiplying, becoming a swarming victorious race, great-grandchildren
following grandchildren, till there were fifty of them, and a hundred,
and two hundred, all tending to increase the happiness and beauty of the
world. And in the mingled amazement and amusement of Janville gathered
around that fruitful family there was certainly some of the instinctive
admiration which is felt for the strength and the healthfulness which
create great nations.
"Besides, we have only friends now," remarked Mathieu. "Everybody is
cordial with us!"
"Oh, everybody!" muttered Rose. "Just look at the Lepailleurs yonder, in
front of that booth."
The Lepailleurs were indeed there--the father, the mother, Antonin, and
Therese. In order to avoid the Froments they were pretending to take
great interest in a booth, where a number of crudely-colored china
ornaments were displayed as prizes for the winners at a "lucky-wheel.
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