judge of the court, the attorney-general, the mayor, the general, and
Graslin's former partners with their wives, was a triumph for the
bride, who, like all other persons who are simple and natural, showed
charms that were not expected in her. Neither of the bridal pair could
dance; Veronique continued therefore to do the honors to her guests,
and to win the esteem and good graces of nearly all the persons who
were presented to her, asking Grossetete, who took an honest liking to
her, for information about the company. She made no mistakes and
committed no blunders. It was during this evening that the two former
partners of the banker announced the amount of the dowry (immense for
Limousin) given by the Sauviats to their daughter. At nine o'clock the
old iron-dealer returned home and went to bed, leaving his wife to
preside over the bride's retiring. It was said by everyone throughout
the town that Madame Graslin was very plain, though well made.

Old Sauviat now wound up his business and sold his house in town. He
bought a little country-place on the left bank of the Vienne between
Limoges and Cluzeau, ten minutes' walk from the suburb of Saint-Martial,
where he intended to finish his days tranquilly with his wife. The old
couple had an apartment in the hotel Graslin and always dined once or
twice a week with their daughter, who, as often, made their house in
the country the object of her walks.

This enforced rest almost killed old Sauviat. Happily, Graslin found a
means of occupying his father-in-law. In 1823 the banker was forced to
take possession of a porcelain manufactory, to the proprietors of
which he had advanced large sums, which they found themselves unable
to repay except by the sale of their factory, which they made to him.
By the help of his business connections and by investing a large
amount of property in the concern, Graslin made it one of the finest