which flowed at these recollections of the past, and turned their
thoughts to rejoicing. Banquets were given and received. Martin invited
all his relations and former friends; an easy gaiety prevailed. It was
remarked that the hero of the feast refrained from wine; he was thereupon
reproached, but answered that on account of the wounds he had received he
was obliged to avoid excess. The excuse was admitted, the result of
Martin's precautions being that he kept a clear head on his shoulders,
while all the rest had their tongues loosed by drunkenness.

"Ah!" exclaimed one of the guests, who had studied a little medicine,
"Martin is quite right to be afraid of drink. Wounds which have
thoroughly healed may be reopened and inflamed by intemperance, and wine
in the case of recent wounds is deadly poison. Men have died on the
field of battle in an hour or two merely because they had swallowed a
little brandy."

Martin Guerre grew pale, and began a conversation with the pretty Rose,
his neighbour. Bertrande observed this, but without uneasiness; she had
suffered too much from her former suspicions, besides her husband showed
her so much affection that she was now quite happy.

When the first few days were over, Martin began to look into his affairs.
His property had suffered by his long absence, and he was obliged to go
to Biscay to claim his little estate there, the law having already laid
hands upon it. It was several months before, by dint of making judicious
sacrifices, he could regain possession of the house and fields which had
belonged to his father. This at last accomplished, he returned to
Artigues, in order to resume the management of his wife's property, and
with this end in view, about eleven months after his return, he paid a
visit to his uncle Pierre.