On hearing this, I am possessed suddenly with extreme vexation that I
should have made up my mind so quickly to link myself in ever so
fleeting and transient a manner with this little creature, and dwell
with her in this isolated house.

We come back into the room; she is the center of the circle and
seated; and they have placed the aigrette of flowers in her hair.
There is actually some expression in her glance, and I am almost
persuaded that she--this one--- thinks.

Yves is astonished at her modest attitude, at her little timid airs of
a young girl on the verge of matrimony; he had imagined nothing like
it in such a marriage as this, nor I either, I must confess.

"She is really very pretty, brother," said he; "very pretty, take my
word for it!"

These good folks, their customs, this scene, strike him dumb with
astonishment; he cannot get over it, and remains in a maze. "Oh! this
is too much," and the idea of writing a long letter to his wife at
Toulven, describing it all, diverts him greatly.

Chrysanthème and I join hands. Yves too advances and touches the
dainty little paw;--after all, if I wed her, it is chiefly his fault;
I should never have remarked her without his observation that she was
pretty. Who can tell how this strange arrangement will turn out? Is it
a woman or a doll? Well, time will show.

The families having lighted their many-colored lanterns swinging at