He persuaded Beauchene to join him
in the inspection, and the three men were starting, when Constance and
Valentine, somewhat inquisitive with respect to that farm, the great
growth of which still filled them with stupefaction, decided to follow,
leaving the rest of the family installed under the trees, amid the
smiling peacefulness of that fine afternoon.
The cow-houses and stables were on the right hand. But in order to reach
them one had to cross the great yard, whence the entire estate could be
seen. And here there was a halt, a sudden stopping inspired by
admiration, so grandly did the work accomplished show forth under the
sun. They had known that land dry and sterile, covered with mere scrub;
they beheld it now one sea of waving corn, of crops whose growth
increased at each successive season. Up yonder, on the old marshy
plateau, the fertility was such, thanks to the humus amassed during long
centuries, that Mathieu did not even manure the ground as yet. Then, to
right and to left, the former sandy slopes spread out all greenery,
fertilized by the springs which ever brought them increase of
fruitfulness. And the very woods afar off, skilfully arranged, aired by
broad clearings, seemed to possess more sap, as if all the surrounding
growth of life had instilled additional vigor into them.
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