Then, also face to face, there were the
high and mighty rulers of the region, Mathieu and Marianne, the latter of
whom kept little Nicolas, the last prince of the line, on her knees, he
braying the while like a little donkey, because he felt so pleased. Then
the last places were occupied by the rulers' granddaughter and grandson,
Mademoiselle Berthe and Monsieur Christophe, who were as yet unable to
walk long distances. And the chariot rolled on with much majesty, albeit
that for fear of the rain the curtains of stout white linen had already
been half-drawn, thus giving the vehicle, at a distance, somewhat of the
aspect of a miller's van.
Further back yet, as a sort of rear-guard, was a group on foot, composed
of Blaise, Denis, Madame Desvignes, and her daughters Charlotte and
Marthe. They had absolutely refused to take a fly, finding it more
pleasant to walk the mile and a half which separated Chantebled from
Janville. If the rain should fall, they would manage to find shelter
somewhere. Besides, Rose had declared that a suite on foot was absolutely
necessary to give the procession its full significance. Those five last
comers would represent the multitude, the great concourse of people which
follows sovereigns and acclaims them.
Pages:
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504