were discussed; the jardinieres, the caloriferes, the objects of
luxury and novelty, nothing was left unnoticed. In the garden of the
hotel Graslin, above the icehouse, was an aviary, and all the
inhabitants of the town were presently surprised by the sight of rare
birds,--Chinese pheasants, mysterious breeds of ducks. Every one
flocked to see them. Monsieur and Madame Grossetete, an old couple who
were highly respected in Limoges, made several visits to the Sauviats,
accompanied by Graslin. Madame Grossetete, a most excellent woman,
congratulated Veronique on her happy marriage. Thus the Church, the
family, society, and all material things down to the most trivial,
made themselves accomplices to bring about this marriage.

In the month of April the formal invitations to the wedding were
issued to all Graslin's friends and acquaintance. On a fine spring
morning a caleche and a coupe, drawn by Limousin horses chosen by
Monsieur Grossetete, drew up at eleven o'clock before the shop of the
iron-dealer, bringing, to the great excitement of the neighborhood,
the former partners of the bridegroom and the latter's two clerks. The
street was lined with spectators, all anxious to see the Sauviats'
daughter, on whose beautiful hair the most renowned hairdresser in
Limoges had placed the bridal wreath and a costly veil of English
lace. Veronique wore a gown of simple white muslin. A rather imposing
assemblage of the most distinguished women in the society of the town
attended the wedding in the cathedral, where the bishop, knowing the
religious fervor of the Sauviats, deigned to marry Veronique himself.
The bride was very generally voted plain.

She entered her new house, and went from one surprise to another. A
grand dinner was to precede the ball, to which Graslin had invited
nearly all Limoges. The dinner, given to the bishop, the prefect, the