Marianne, recognizing how serious was the
transgression, wished to scold him. But what superb white roses they
were, as big as cabbages, as he himself had said! And he was entitled to
triumph over them, for they were the only white roses there, and had been
secured by himself, like the wandering urchin he was with a spice of
knight-errantry in his composition, quite ready to jump over walls and
cajole damsels in order to deck a bride with snowy blooms.
"Oh! papa won't say anything," he declared, with no little
self-assurance; "they are far too beautiful."
This made the others laugh; but fresh emotion ensued, for Benjamin and
Guillaume awoke and screamed their hunger aloud. It was gayly remarked,
however, that they were quite entitled to their turn of feasting. And as
it was simply a family gathering there was no embarrassment on the part
of the mothers. Marianne took Benjamin on her knees in the shade of the
oak tree, and Charlotte placed herself with Guillaume on her right hand;
while, on her left, Andree seated herself with little Leonce, who had
been weaned a week previously, but was still very fond of caresses.
It was at this moment that the Beauchenes and the Seguins reappeared with
Mathieu, and stopped short, struck by the charm of the spectacle before
them.
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