FOURTEEN months later there was a festival at Chantebled. Denis, who had taken Blaise's place at the factory, was married to Marthe Desvignes. And after all the grievous mourning this was the first smile, the bright warm sun of springtime, so to say, following severe winter. Mathieu and Marianne, hitherto grief-stricken and clad in black, displayed a gayety tinged2 with soft emotion in presence of the sempiternal renewal3 of life. The mother had been willing to don less gloomy a gown, and the father had agreed to defer4 no longer a marriage that had long since been resolved upon, and was necessitated5 by all sorts of considerations. For more than two years now Rose had been sleeping in the little cemetery6 of Janville, and for more than a year Blaise had joined her there, beneath flowers which were ever fresh. And the souvenir of the dear dead ones, whom they all visited, and who had remained alive in all their hearts, was to participate in the coming festival. It was as if they themselves had decided7 with their parents that the hour for the espousals had struck, and that regret for their loss ought no longer to bar the joy of growth and increase.
Denis's installation at the Beauchene works in his brother's place had come about quite naturally. If he had not gone thither8 on leaving the science school where he had spent three years, it was simply because the position was at that time already held by Blaise. All his technical studies marked him out for the post. In a single day he had fitted himself for it, and he simply had to take up his quarters in the little pavilion, Charlotte having fled to Chantebled with her little Berthe directly after the horrible catastrophe9. It should be added that Denis' entry into the establishment offered a convenient solution with regard to the large sum of money lent to Beauchene, which, it had been arranged, should be reimbursed10 by a sixth share in the factory. That money came from the family, and one brother simply took the place of the other, signing the agreement which the deceased would have signed. With a delicate rectitude, however, Denis insisted that out of his share of the profits an annuity11 should be assigned to Charlotte, his brother's widow.
Thus matters were settled in a week, in the manner that circumstances logically demanded, and without possibility of discussion. Constance, bewildered and overwhelmed, was not even able to struggle. Her husband reduced her to silence by repeating: "What would you have me do? I must have somebody to help me, and it is just as well to take Denis as a stranger. Besides, if he worries me I will buy him out within a year and give him his dismissal!"
At this Constance remained silent to avoid casting his ignominy in his face, amid her despair at feeling the walls of the house crumble12 and fall, bit by bit, upon her.
Once installed at the works, Denis considered that the time had come to carry out the matrimonial plans which he had long since arranged with Marthe Desvignes. The latter, Charlotte's younger sister and at one time the inseparable friend of Rose, had been waiting for him for nearly three years now, with her bright smile and air of affectionate good sense. They had known one another since childhood, and had exchanged many a vow13 along the lonely paths of Janville. But they had said to one another that they would do nothing prematurely14, that for the happiness of a whole lifetime one might well wait until one was old enough and strong enough to undertake family duties. Some people were greatly astonished that a young man whose future was so promising15, and whose position at twenty-six years of age was already a superb one, should thus obstinately16 espouse17 a penniless girl. Mathieu and Marianne smiled, however, and consented, knowing their son's good reasons. He had no desire to marry a rich girl who would cost him more than she brought, and he was delighted at having discovered a pretty, healthy, and very sensible and skilful18 young woman, who would be at all times his companion, helpmate, and consoler. He feared no surprises with her, for he had studied her; she united charm and good sense with kindliness19, all that was requisite20 for the happiness of a household. And he himself was very good-natured, prudent21, and sensible, and she knew it and willingly took his arm to tread life's path with him, certain as she felt that they would thus walk on together until life's end should be reached, ever advancing with the same tranquil22 step under the divine and limpid23 sun of reason merged24 in love.
Great preparations were made at Chantebled on the day before the wedding. Nevertheless, the ceremony was to remain of an intimate character, on account of the recent mourning. The only guests, apart from members of the family, were the Seguins and the Beauchenes, and even the latter were cousins. So there would scarcely be more than a score of them altogether, and only a lunch was to be given. One matter which gave them some brief concern was to decide where to set the table, and how to decorate it. Those early days of July were so bright and warm that they resolved to place it out of doors under the trees. There was a fitting and delightful25 spot in front of the old shooting-box, the primitive26 pavilion, which had been their first residence on their arrival in the Janville district. That pavilion was indeed like the family nest, the hearth27 whence it had radiated over the surrounding region. As the pavilion had threatened ruin, Mathieu had repaired and enlarged it with the idea of retiring thither with Marianne, and Charlotte and her children, as soon as he should cede28 the farm to his son Gervais, that being his intention. He was, indeed, pleased with the idea of living in retirement29 like a patriarch, like a king who had willingly abdicated30, but whose wise counsel was still sought and accepted. In place of the former wild garden a large lawn now stretched before the pavilion, surrounded by some beautiful trees, elms and hornbeams. These Mathieu had planted, and he had watched them grow; thus they seemed to him to be almost part of his flesh. But his real favorite was an oak tree, nearly twenty years of age and already sturdy, which stood in the centre of the lawn, where he had planted it with Marianne, who had held the slender sapling in position while he plied31 his spade on the day when they had founded their domain32 of Chantebled. And near this oak, which thus belonged to their robust33 family, there was a basin of living water, fed by the captured springs of the plateau--water whose crystalline song made the spot one of continual joy.
It was here then that a council was held on the day before the wedding. Mathieu and Marianne repaired thither to see what preparations would be necessary, and they found Charlotte with a sketch34-book on her knees, rapidly finishing an impression of the oak tree.
"What is that--a surprise?" they asked.
She smiled with some confusion. "Yes, yes, a surprise; you will see."
Then she confessed that for a fortnight past she had been designing in water colors a series of menu cards for the wedding feast. And, prettily35 and lovingly enough, her idea had been to depict36 children's games and children's heads; indeed, all the members of the family in their childish days. She had taken their likenesses from old photographs, and her sketch of the oak tree was to serve as a background for the portraits of the two youngest scions37 of the house--little Benjamin and little Guillaume.
Mathieu and Marianne were delighted with that fleet procession of little faces all white and pink which they perfectly38 recognized as they saw them pass before their eyes. There were the twins nestling in their cradle, locked in one another's arms; there was Rose, the dear lost one, in her little shift; there were Ambroise and Gervais, bare, and wrestling on a patch of grass; there were Gregoire and Nicolas birdnesting; there were Claire and the three other girls, Louise, Madeleine, and Marguerite, romping39 about the farm, quarrelling with the fowls40, springing upon the horses' backs. But what particularly touched Marianne was the sketch of her last-born, little Benjamin, now nine months old, whom Charlotte had depicted41 reclining under the oak tree in the same little carriage as her own son Guillaume, who was virtually of the same age, having been born but eight days later.
"The uncle and the nephew," said Mathieu jestingly. "All the same, the uncle is the elder by a week."
As Marianne stood there smiling, soft tears came into her eyes, and the sketch shook in her happy hands.
"The dears!" said she; "my son and grandson. With those dear little ones I am once again a mother and a grandmother. Ah, yes! those two are the supreme42 consolation43; they have helped to heal the wound; it is they who have brought us back hope and courage."
This was true. How overwhelming had been the mourning and sadness of the early days when Charlotte, fleeing the factory, had sought refuge at the farm! The tragedy by which Blaise had been carried off had nearly killed her. Her first solace45 was to see that her daughter Berthe, who had been rather sickly in Paris, regained46 bright rosy47 cheeks amid the open air of Chantebled. Moreover, she had settled her life: she would spend her remaining years, in that hospitable48 house, devoting herself to her two children, and happy in having so affectionate a grandmother and grandfather to help and sustain her. She had always shown herself to be somewhat apart from life, possessed49 of a dreamy nature, only asking to love and to be loved in return.
So by degrees she settled down once more, installed beside her grandparents in the old pavilion, which Mathieu fitted up for the three of them. And wishing to occupy herself, irrespective of her income from the factory, she even set to work again and painted miniatures, which a dealer50 in Paris readily purchased. But her grief was mostly healed by her little Guillaume, that child bequeathed to her by her dead husband, in whom he resuscitated51. And it was much the same with Marianne since the birth of Benjamin. A new son had replaced the one she had lost, and helped to fill the void in her heart. The two women, the two mothers, found infinite solace in nursing those babes. For them they forgot themselves; they reared them together, watching them grow side by side; they gave them the breast at the same hours, and it was their desire to see them both become very strong, very handsome, and very good. Although one mother was almost twice as old as the other, they became, as it were, sisters. The same nourishing milk flowed from both their fruitful bosoms52. And gleams of light penetrated53 their mourning: they began to laugh when they saw those little cherubs54 laugh, and nothing could have been gayer than the sight of that mother-in-law and that daughter-in-law side by side, almost mingling55, having but one cradle between them, amid an unceasing florescence of maternity56.
"Be careful," Mathieu suddenly said to Charlotte; "hide your drawings, here are Gervais and Claire coming about the table."
Gervais at nineteen years of age was quite a colossus, the tallest and the strongest of the family, with short, curly black hair, large bright eyes, and a full broad-featured face. He had remained his father's favorite son, the son of the fertile earth, the one in whom Mathieu fostered a love for the estate, a passion for skilful agriculture, in order that later on the young man might continue the good work which had been begun. Mathieu already disburdened himself on Gervais of a part of his duties, and was only waiting to see him married to give him the control of the whole farm. And he often thought of adjoining to him Claire when she found a husband in some worthy57, sturdy fellow who would assume part of the labor58. Two men agreeing well would be none too many for an enterprise which was increasing in importance every day. Since Marianne had again been nursing, Claire had been attending to her work. Though she had no beauty, she was of vigorous health and quite strong for her seventeen years. She busied herself more particularly with cookery and household affairs, but she also kept the accounts, being shrewd-witted and very economically inclined, on which account the prodigals60 of the family often made fun of her.
"And so it's here that the table is to be set," said Gervais; "I shall have to see that the lawn is mowed61 then."
On her side Claire inquired what number of people there would be at table and how she had better place them. Then, Gervais having called to Frederic to bring a scythe62, the three of them went on discussing the arrangements. After Rose's death, Frederic, her betrothed63, had continued working beside Gervais, becoming his most active and intelligent comrade and helper. For some months, too, Marianne and Mathieu had noticed that he was revolving64 around Claire, as though, since he had lost the elder girl, he were willing to content himself with the younger one, who was far less beautiful no doubt, but withal a good and sturdy housewife. This had at first saddened the parents. Was it possible to forget their dear daughter? Then, however, they felt moved, for the thought came to them that the family ties would be drawn65 yet closer, that the young fellow's heart would not roam in search of love elsewhere, but would remain with them. So closing their eyes to what went on, they smiled, for in Frederic, when Claire should be old enough to marry, Gervais would find the brother-in-law and partner that he needed.
The question of the table had just been settled when a sudden invasion burst through the tall grass around the oak tree; skirts flew about, and loose hair waved in the sunshine.
"Oh!" cried Louise, "there are no roses."
"No," repeated Madeleine, "not a single white rose."
"And," added Marguerite, "we have inspected all the bushes. There are no white roses, only red ones."
Thirteen, eleven, and nine, such were their respective ages. Louise, plump and gay, already looked a little woman; Madeleine, slim and pretty, spent hours at her piano, her eyes full of dreaminess; Marguerite, whose nose was rather too large and whose lips were thick, had beautiful golden hair. She would pick up little birds at winter time and warm them with her hands. And the three of, them, after scouring66 the back garden, where flowers mingled67 with vegetables, had now rushed up in despair at their vain search. No white roses for a wedding! That was the end of everything! What could they offer to the bride? And what could they set upon the table?
Behind the three girls, however, appeared Gregoire, with jeering68 mien69, and his hands in his pockets. At fifteen he was very malicious70, the most turbulent, worrying member of the family, a lad inclined to the most diabolical71 devices. His pointed72 nose and his thin lips denoted also his adventurous73 spirit, his will power, and his skill in effecting his object. And, apparently74 much amused by his sisters' disappointment, he forgot himself and exclaimed, by way of teasing them: "Why, I know where there are some white roses, and fine ones, too."
"Where is that?" asked Mathieu.
"Why, at the mill, near the wheel, in the little enclosure. There are three big bushes which are quite white, with roses as big as cabbages."
"What! do you still prowl round the mill?" said Mathieu. "I had forbidden you to do so. As you know that there are white roses in the enclosure you must have gone in, eh?"
"No; I looked over the wall."
"You climbed up the wall, that's the finishing touch! So you want to land me in trouble with those Lepailleurs, who are decidedly very foolish and very malicious people. There is really a devil in you, my boy."
That which Gregoire left unsaid was that he repaired to the enclosure in order that he might there join Therese, the miller's fair-haired daughter with the droll76, laughing face, who was also a terribly adventurous damsel for her thirteen years. True, their meetings were but childish play, but at the end of the enclosure, under the apple trees, there was a delightful nook where one could laugh and chat and amuse oneself at one's ease.
"Well, just listen to me," Mathieu resumed. "I won't have you going to play with Therese again. She is a pretty little girl, no doubt. But that house is not a place for you to go to. It seems that they fight one another there now."
This was a fact. When that young scamp Antonin had recovered his health, he had been tormented77 by a longing78 to return to Paris, and had done all he could with that object, in view of resuming a life of idleness and dissipation. Lepailleur, greatly irritated at having been duped by his son, had at first violently opposed his plans. But what could he do in the country with that idle fellow, whom he himself had taught to hate the earth and to sneer79 at the old rotting mill. Besides, he now had his wife against him. She was ever admiring her son's learning, and so stubborn was her faith in him that she was convinced that he would this time secure a good position in the capital. Thus the father had been obliged to give way, and Antonin was now finally wrecking80 his life while filling some petty employment at a merchant's in the Rue44 du Mail. But, on the other hand, the quarrelling increased in the home, particularly whenever Lepailleur suspected his wife of robbing him in order to send money to that big lazybones, their son. From the bridge over the Yeuse on certain days one could hear oaths and blows flying about. And here again was family life destroyed, strength wasted, and happiness spoilt.
Carried off by perfect anger, Mathieu continued: "To think of it; people who had everything needful to be happy! How can one be so stupid? How can one seek wretchedness for oneself with such obstinacy81? As for that idea of theirs of an only son, and their vanity in wanting to make a gentleman of him, ah! well, they have succeeded finely! They must be extremely pleased to-day! It is just like Lepailleur's hatred82 of the earth, his old-fashioned system of cultivation83, his obstinacy in leaving his bit of moorland barren and refusing to sell it to me, no doubt by way of protesting against our success! Can you imagine anything so stupid? And it's just like his mill; all folly84 and idleness he stands still, looking at it fall into ruins. He at least had a reason for that in former times; he used to say that as the region had almost renounced85 corn-growing, the peasants did not bring him enough grain to set his mill-stones working. But nowadays when, thanks to us, corn overflows86 on all sides, surely he ought to have pulled down his old wheel and have replaced it by a good engine. Ah! if I were in his place I would already have a new and bigger mill there, making all use of the water of the Yeuse, and connecting it with Janville railway station by a line of rails, which would not cost so much to lay down."
Gregoire stood listening, well pleased that the storm should fall on another than himself. And Marianne, seeing that her three daughters were still greatly grieved at having no white roses, consoled them, saying: "Well, for the table to-morrow morning you must gather those which are the lightest in color--the pale pink ones; they will do very well."
Thereupon Mathieu, calming down, made the children laugh, by adding gayly: "Gather the red ones too, the reddest you find. They will symbolize87 the blood of life!"
Marianne and Charlotte were still lingering there talking of all the preparations, when other little feet came tripping through the grass. Nicolas, quite proud of his seven years, was leading his niece Berthe, a big girl of six. They agreed very well together. That day they had remained indoors playing at "fathers and mothers" near the cradle occupied by Benjamin and Guillaume, whom they called their babies. But all at once the infants had awoke, clamoring for nourishment88. And Nicolas and Berthe, quite alarmed, had thereupon run off to fetch the two mothers.
"Mamma!" called Nicolas, "Benjamin's asking for you. He's thirsty."
"Mamma, mamma!" repeated Berthe, "Guillaume's thirsty. Come quick, he's in a hurry."
Marianne and Charlotte laughed. True enough, the morrow's wedding had made them forget their pets; and so they hastily returned to the house.
On the following day those happy nuptials89 were celebrated90 in affectionate intimacy91. There were but one-and-twenty at table under the oak tree in the middle of the lawn, which, girt with elms and hornbeams, seemed like a hall of verdure. The whole family was present: first those of the farm, then Denis the bridegroom, next Ambroise and his wife Andree, who had brought their little Leonce with them. And apart from the family proper, there were only the few invited relatives, Beauchene and Constance, Seguin and Valentine, with, of course, Madame Desvignes, the bride's mother. There were twenty-one at table, as has been said; but besides those one-and-twenty there were three very little ones present: Leonce, who at fifteen months had just been weaned, and Benjamin and Guillaume, who still took the breast. Their little carriages had been drawn up near, so that they also belonged to the party, which was thus a round two dozen. And the table, flowery with roses, sent forth92 a delightful perfume under the rain of summer sunbeams which flecked it with gold athwart the cool shady foliage93. From one horizon to the other stretched the wondrous94 tent of azure95 of the triumphant96 July sky. And Marthe's white bridal gown, and the bright dresses of the girls, big and little; all those gay frocks, and all that fine youthful health, seemed like the very florescence of that green nook of happiness. They lunched joyously97, and ended by clinking glasses in country fashion, while wishing all sorts of prosperity to the bridal pair and to everybody present.
Then, while the servants were removing the cloth, Seguin, who affected99 an interest in horse-breeding and cattle-raising, wished Mathieu to show him his stables. He had talked nothing but horseflesh during the meal, and was particularly desirous of seeing some big farm-horses, whose great strength had been praised by his host. He persuaded Beauchene to join him in the inspection100, and the three men were starting, when Constance and Valentine, somewhat inquisitive101 with respect to that farm, the great growth of which still filled them with stupefaction, decided to follow, leaving the rest of the family installed under the trees, amid the smiling peacefulness of that fine afternoon.
The cow-houses and stables were on the right hand. But in order to reach them one had to cross the great yard, whence the entire estate could be seen. And here there was a halt, a sudden stopping inspired by admiration102, so grandly did the work accomplished103 show forth under the sun. They had known that land dry and sterile104, covered with mere105 scrub; they beheld106 it now one sea of waving corn, of crops whose growth increased at each successive season. Up yonder, on the old marshy107 plateau, the fertility was such, thanks to the humus amassed108 during long centuries, that Mathieu did not even manure109 the ground as yet. Then, to right and to left, the former sandy slopes spread out all greenery, fertilized110 by the springs which ever brought them increase of fruitfulness. And the very woods afar off, skilfully111 arranged, aired by broad clearings, seemed to possess more sap, as if all the surrounding growth of life had instilled113 additional vigor59 into them. With this vigor, this power, indeed, the whole domain was instinct; it was creation, man's labor fertilizing114 sterile soil, and drawing from it a wealth of nourishment for expanding humanity, the conqueror115 of the world.
There was a long spell of silence. At last Seguin, in his dry shrill116 voice, with a tinge1 of bitterness born of his own ruin, remarked: "You have done a good stroke of business. I should never have believed it possible."
Then they walked on again. But in the sheds, the cow-houses, the sheep-cotes, and all round, the sensation of strength and power yet increased. Creation was there continuing; the cattle, the sheep, the fowls, the rabbits, all that dwelt and swarmed117 there were incessantly118 increasing and multiplying. Each year the ark became too small, and fresh pens and fresh buildings were required. Life increased life; on all sides there were fresh broods, fresh flocks, fresh herds119; all the conquering wealth of inexhaustible fruitfulness.
When they reached the stables Seguin greatly admired the big draught120 horses, and praised them with the expressions of a connoisseur121. Then he returned to the subject of breeding, and cited some extraordinary results that one of his friends obtained by certain crosses. So far as the animal kingdom was concerned his ideas were sound enough, but when he came to the consideration of human kind he was as erratic122 as ever. As they walked back from the stables he began to descant123 on the population question, denouncing the century, and repeating all his old theories. Perhaps it was jealous rancor124 that impelled125 him to protest against the victory of life which the whole farm around him proclaimed so loudly. Depopulation! why, it did not extend fast enough. Paris, which wished to die, so people said, was really taking its time about it. All the same, he noticed some good symptoms, for bankruptcy126 was increasing on all sides--in science, politics, literature, and even art. Liberty was already dead. Democracy, by exasperating127 ambitious instincts and setting classes in conflict for power, was rapidly leading to a social collapse128. Only the poor still had large families; the elite129, the people of wealth and intelligence, had fewer and fewer children, so that, before final annihilation came, there might still be a last period of acceptable civilization, in which there would remain only a few men and women of supreme refinement130, content with perfumes for sustenance131 and mere breath for enjoyment132. He, however, was disgusted, for he now felt certain that he would not see that period since it was so slow in coming.
"If only Christianity would return to the primitive faith," he continued, "and condemn133 woman as an impure134, diabolical, and harmful creature, we might go and lead holy lives in the desert, and in that way bring the world to an end much sooner. But the political Catholicism of nowadays, anxious to keep alive itself, allows and regulates marriage, with the view of maintaining things as they are. Oh! you will say, of course, that I myself married and that I have children, which is true; but I am pleased to think that they will redeem135 my fault. Gaston says that a soldier's only wife ought to be his sword, and so he intends to remain single; and as Lucie, on her side, has taken the veil at the Ursulines, I feel quite at ease. My race is, so to say, already extinct, and that delights me."
Mathieu listened with a smile. He was acquainted with that more or less literary form of pessimism136. In former days all such views, as, for instance, the struggle of civilization against the birth-rate, and the relative childlessness of the most intelligent and able members of the community, had disturbed him. But since he had fought the cause of love he had found another faith. Thus he contented137 himself with saying rather maliciously138: "But you forget your daughter Andree and her little boy Leonce."
"Oh! Andree!" replied Seguin, waving his hand as if she did not belong to him.
Valentine, however, had stopped short, gazing at him fixedly139. Since their household had been wrecked140 and they had been leading lives apart, she no longer tolerated his sudden attacks of insane brutality142 and jealousy143. By reason also of the squandering144 of their fortune she had a hold on him, for he feared that she might ask for certain accounts to be rendered her.
"Yes," he granted, "there is Andree; but then girls don't count."
They were walking on again when Beauchene, who had hitherto contented himself with puffing145 and chewing his cigar, for reserve was imposed upon him by the frightful146 drama of his own family life, was unable to remain silent any longer. Forgetful, relapsing into the extraordinary unconsciousness which always set him erect147, like a victorious148 superior man, he spoke149 out loudly and boldly:
"I don't belong to Seguin's school, but, all the same, he says some true things. That population question greatly interests me even now, and I can flatter myself that I know it fully112. Well, it is evident that Malthus was right. It is not allowable for people to have families without knowing how they will be able to nourish them. If the poor die of starvation it is their fault, and not ours."
Then he reverted150 to his usual lecture on the subject. The governing classes alone were reasonable in keeping to small families. A country could only produce a certain supply of food, and was therefore restricted to a certain population. People talked of the faulty division of wealth; but it was madness to dream of an Utopia, where there would be no more masters but only so many brothers, equal workers and sharers, who would apportion151 happiness among themselves like a birthday-cake. All the evil then came from the lack of foresight152 among the poor, though with brutal141 frankness he admitted that employers readily availed themselves of the circumstance that there was a surplus of children to hire labor at reduced rates.
Then, losing all recollection of the past, infatuated, intoxicated153 with his own ideas, he went on talking of himself. "People pretend that we are not patriots154 because we don't leave troops of children behind us. But that is simply ridiculous; each serves the country in his own way. If the poor folks give it soldiers, we give it our capital--all the proceeds of our commerce and industry. A fine lot of good would it do the country if we were to ruin ourselves with big families, which would hamper155 us, prevent us from getting rich, and afterwards destroy whatever we create by subdividing156 it. With our laws and customs there can be no substantial fortune unless a family is limited to one son. And yes, that is necessary; but one son--an only son--that is the only wise course; therein lies the only possible happiness."
It became so painful to hear him, in his position, speaking in that fashion, that the others remained silent, full of embarrassment157. And he, thinking that he was convincing them, went on triumphantly158: "Thus, I myself--"
But at this moment Constance interrupted him. She had hitherto walked on with bowed head amid that flow of chatter159 which brought her so much torture and shame, an aggravation160, as it were, of her defeat. But now she raised her face, down which two big tears were trickling161.
"Alexandre!" she said.
"What is it, my dear?"
He did not yet understand. But on seeing her tears, he ended by feeling disturbed, in spite of all his fine assurance. He looked at the others, and wishing to have the last word, he added: "Ah, yes! our poor child. But particular cases have nothing to do with general theories; ideas are still ideas."
Silence fell between them. They were now near the lawn where the family had remained. And for the last moment Mathieu had been thinking of Morange, whom he had also invited to the wedding, but who had excused himself from attending, as if he were terrified at the idea of gazing on the joy of others, and dreaded163, too, lest some sacrilegious attempt should be made in his absence on the mysterious sanctuary164 where he worshipped. Would he, Morange--so Mathieu wondered--have clung like Beauchene to his former ideas? Would he still have defended the theory of the only child; that hateful, calculating theory which had cost him both his wife and his daughter? Mathieu could picture him flitting past, pale and distracted, with the step of a maniac165 hastening to some mysterious end, in which insanity166 would doubtless have its place. But the lugubrious167 vision vanished, and then again before Mathieu's eyes the lawn spread out under the joyous98 sun, offering between its belt of foliage such a picture of happy health and triumphant beauty, that he felt impelled to break the mournful silence and exclaim:
"Look there! look there! Isn't that gay; isn't that a delightful scene--all those dear women and dear children in that setting of verdure? It ought to be painted to show people how healthy and beautiful life is!"
Time had not been lost on the lawn since the Beauchenes and Seguins had gone off to visit the stables. First of all there had been a distribution of the menu cards, which Charlotte had adorned168 with such delicate water-color sketches169. This surprise of hers had enraptured170 them all at lunch, and they still laughed at the sight of those pretty children's heads. Then, while the servants cleared the table, Gregoire achieved a great success by offering the bride a bouquet171 of splendid white roses, which he drew out of a bush where he had hitherto kept it hidden. He had doubtless been waiting for some absence of his father's. They were the roses of the mill; with Therese's assistance he must have pillaged172 the bushes in the enclosure. Marianne, recognizing how serious was the transgression173, 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 urchin174 he was with a spice of knight175-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 gathering176 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 previously177, but was still very fond of caresses178.
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. Between a framework of tall trees, under the patriarchal oak, on the thick grass of the lawn the whole vigorous family was gathered in a group, instinct with gayety, beauty, and strength. Gervais and Claire, ever active, were, with Frederic, hurrying on the servants, who made no end of serving the coffee on the table which had just been cleared. For this table the three younger girls, half buried in a heap of flowers, tea and blush and crimson179 roses, were now, with the help of knight Gregoire, devising new decorations. Then, a few paces away, the bridal pair, Denis and Marthe, were conversing180 in undertones; while the bride's mother, Madame Desvignes, sat listening to them with a discreet181 and infinitely182 gentle smile upon her lips. And it was in the midst of all this that Marianne, radiant, white of skin, still fresh, ever beautiful, with serene183 strength, was giving the breast to her twelfth child, her Benjamin, and smiling at him as he sucked away; while surrendering her other knee to little Nicolas, who was jealous of his younger brother. And her two daughters-in-law seemed like a continuation of herself. There was Andree on the left with Ambroise, who had stepped up to tease his little Leonce; and Charlotte on the right with her two children, Guillaume, who hung on her breast, and Berthe, who had sought a place among her skirts. And here, faith in life had yielded prosperity, ever-increasing, overflowing184 wealth, all the sovereign florescence of happy fruitfulness.
Seguin, addressing himself to Marianne, asked her jestingly: "And so that little gentleman is the fourteenth you have nursed?"
She likewise laughed. "No; I mustn't tell fibs! I have nursed twelve, including this one; that is the exact number."
Beauchene, who had recovered his self-possession, could not refrain from intervening once more: "A full dozen, eh! It is madness!"
"I share your opinion," said Mathieu, laughing in his turn. "At all events, if it is not madness it is extravagance, as we admit, my wife and I, when we are alone. And we certainly don't think that all people ought to have such large families as ours. But, given the situation in France nowadays, with our population dwindling185 and that of nearly every other country increasing, it is hardly possible to complain of even the largest family. Thus, even if our example be exaggerated, it remains186 an example, I think, for others to think over."
Marianne listened, still smiling, but with tears standing187 in her eyes. A feeling of gentle sadness was penetrating188 her; her heart-wound had reopened even amid all her joy at seeing her children assembled around her. "Yes," said she in a trembling voice, "there have been twelve, but I have only ten left. Two are already sleeping yonder, waiting for us underground."
There was no sign of dread162, however, in that evocation189 of the peaceful little cemetery of Janville and the family grave in which all the children hoped some day to be laid, one after the other, side by side. Rather did that evocation, coming amid that gay wedding assembly, seem like a promise of future blessed peace. The memory of the dear departed ones remained alive, and lent to one and all a kind of loving gravity even amid their mirth. Was it not impossible to accept life without accepting death. Each came here to perform his task, and then, his work ended, went to join his elders in that slumber190 of eternity191 where the great fraternity of humankind was fulfilled.
But in presence of those jesters, Beauchene and Seguin, quite a flood of words rose to Mathieu's lips. He would have liked to answer them; he would have liked to triumph over the mendacious192 theories which they still dared to assert even in their hour of defeat. To fear that the earth might become over-populated, that excess of life might produce famine, was this not idiotic193? Others only had to do as he had done: create the necessary subsistence each time that a child was born to them. And he would have pointed to Chantebled, his work, and to all the corn growing up under the sun, even as his children grew. They could not be charged with having come to consume the share of others, since each was born with his bread before him. And millions of new beings might follow, for the earth was vast: more than two-thirds of it still remained to be placed under cultivation, and therein lay endless fertility for unlimited194 humanity. Besides, had not every civilization, every progress, been due to the impulse of numbers? The improvidence195 of the poor had alone urged revolutionary multitudes to the conquest of truth, justice, and happiness. And with each succeeding day the human torrent196 would require more kindliness, more equity197, the logical division of wealth by just laws regulating universal labor. If it were true, too, that civilization was a check to excessive natality, this phenomenon itself might make one hope in final equilibrium198 in the far-off ages, when the earth should be entirely199 populated and wise enough to live in a sort of divine immobility. But all this was pure speculation200 beside the needs of the hour, the nations which must be built up afresh and incessantly enlarged, pending201 the eventual202 definitive203 federation204 of mankind. And it was really an example, a brave and a necessary one, that Marianne and he were giving, in order that manners and customs, and the idea of morality and the idea of beauty might be changed.
Full of these thoughts Mathieu was already opening his mouth to speak. But all at once he felt how futile205 discussion would be in presence of that admirable scene; that mother surrounded by such a florescence of vigorous children; that mother nursing yet another child, under the big oak which she had planted. She was bravely accomplishing her task--that of perpetuating206 the world. And hers was the sovereign beauty.
Mathieu could think of only one thing that would express everything, and that was to kiss her with all his heart before the whole assembly.
"There, dear wife! You are the most beautiful and the best! May all the others do as you have done."
Then, when Marianne had gloriously returned his kiss, there arose an acclamation, a tempest of merry laughter. They were both of heroic mould; it was with a great dash of heroism207 that they had steered208 their bark onward209, thanks to their full faith in life, their will of action, and the force of their love. And Constance was at last conscious of it: she could realize the conquering power of fruitfulness; she could already see the Froments masters of the factory through their son Denis; masters of Seguin's mansion210 through their son Ambroise; masters, too, of all the countryside through their other children. Numbers spelt victory. And shrinking, consumed with a love which she could never more satisfy, full of the bitterness of her defeat, though she yet hoped for some abominable211 revenge of destiny, she--who never wept!--turned aside to hide the big hot tears which now burnt her withered212 cheeks.
Meantime Benjamin and Guillaume were enjoying themselves like greedy little men whom nothing could disturb. Had there been less laughter one might have heard the trickling of their mothers' milk: that little stream flowing forth amid the torrent of sap which upraised the earth and made the big trees quiver in the powerful July blaze. On every side fruitful life was conveying germs, creating and nourishing. And for its eternal work an eternal river of milk flowed through the world.
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1
tinge
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| vt.(较淡)着色于，染色；使带有…气息；n.淡淡色彩，些微的气息 | |
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2
tinged
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| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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3
renewal
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| adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来 | |
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defer
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| vt.推迟，拖延；vi.(to)遵从，听从，服从 | |
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necessitated
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| 使…成为必要，需要( necessitate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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cemetery
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| n.坟墓，墓地，坟场 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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reimbursed
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| v.偿还，付还( reimburse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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annuity
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| n.年金；养老金 | |
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crumble
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| vi.碎裂，崩溃；vt.弄碎，摧毁 | |
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vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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prematurely
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| adv.过早地，贸然地 | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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obstinately
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| ad.固执地，顽固地 | |
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espouse
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| v.支持，赞成，嫁娶 | |
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skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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kindliness
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| n.厚道，亲切，友好的行为 | |
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20
requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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21
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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limpid
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| adj.清澈的，透明的 | |
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merged
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| （使）混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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cede
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| v.割让，放弃 | |
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retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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abdicated
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| 放弃（职责、权力等）( abdicate的过去式和过去分词 )； 退位，逊位 | |
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31
plied
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的过去式和过去分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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32
domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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robust
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| adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的 | |
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34
sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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prettily
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| adv.优美地；可爱地 | |
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depict
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| vt.描画，描绘；描写，描述 | |
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scions
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| n.接穗，幼枝( scion的名词复数 )；（尤指富家）子孙 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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romping
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| adj.嬉戏喧闹的，乱蹦乱闹的v.嬉笑玩闹( romp的现在分词 )；（尤指在赛跑或竞选等中）轻易获胜 | |
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40
fowls
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| 鸟( fowl的名词复数 )； 禽肉； 既不是这； 非驴非马 | |
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41
depicted
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| 描绘，描画( depict的过去式和过去分词 )； 描述 | |
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42
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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45
solace
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| n.安慰；v.使快乐；vt.安慰(物)，缓和 | |
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46
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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47
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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48
hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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49
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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50
dealer
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| n.商人，贩子 | |
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51
resuscitated
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| v.使（某人或某物）恢复知觉，苏醒( resuscitate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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52
bosoms
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| 胸部( bosom的名词复数 )； 胸怀； 女衣胸部（或胸襟）； 和爱护自己的人在一起的情形 | |
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53
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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54
cherubs
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| 小天使，胖娃娃( cherub的名词复数 ) | |
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mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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56
maternity
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| n.母性，母道，妇产科病房；adj.孕妇的，母性的 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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59
vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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60
prodigals
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| n.浪费的( prodigal的名词复数 )；铺张的；挥霍的；慷慨的 | |
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61
mowed
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| v.刈，割( mow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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62
scythe
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| n. 长柄的大镰刀，战车镰； v. 以大镰刀割 | |
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63
betrothed
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| n. 已订婚者 动词betroth的过去式和过去分词 | |
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64
revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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65
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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scouring
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| 擦[洗]净，冲刷，洗涤 | |
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67
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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68
jeering
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| adj.嘲弄的，揶揄的v.嘲笑( jeer的现在分词 ) | |
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69
mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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diabolical
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| adj.恶魔似的，凶暴的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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adventurous
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| adj.爱冒险的；惊心动魄的，惊险的，刺激的 | |
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74
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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droll
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| adj.古怪的，好笑的 | |
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tormented
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| 饱受折磨的 | |
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longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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80
wrecking
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| 破坏 | |
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81
obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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82
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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83
cultivation
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| n.耕作，培养，栽培（法），养成 | |
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84
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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85
renounced
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| v.声明放弃( renounce的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布放弃；宣布与…决裂；宣布摒弃 | |
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86
overflows
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| v.溢出，淹没( overflow的第三人称单数 )；充满；挤满了人；扩展出界，过度延伸 | |
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87
symbolize
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| vt.作为...的象征，用符号代表 | |
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88
nourishment
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| n.食物，营养品；营养情况 | |
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nuptials
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| n.婚礼；婚礼( nuptial的名词复数 ) | |
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90
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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91
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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92
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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93
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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94
wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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azure
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| adj.天蓝色的，蔚蓝色的 | |
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96
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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joyously
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| ad.快乐地, 高兴地 | |
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joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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100
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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101
inquisitive
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| adj.求知欲强的，好奇的，好寻根究底的 | |
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102
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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103
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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104
sterile
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| adj.不毛的，不孕的，无菌的，枯燥的，贫瘠的 | |
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105
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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106
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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107
marshy
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| adj.沼泽的 | |
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108
amassed
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| v.积累，积聚( amass的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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109
manure
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| n.粪，肥，肥粒；vt.施肥 | |
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110
Fertilized
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| v.施肥( fertilize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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111
skilfully
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| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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112
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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113
instilled
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| v.逐渐使某人获得（某种可取的品质），逐步灌输( instill的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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114
fertilizing
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| v.施肥( fertilize的现在分词 ) | |
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115
conqueror
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| n.征服者，胜利者 | |
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116
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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117
swarmed
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| 密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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118
incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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119
herds
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| 兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众 | |
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120
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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121
connoisseur
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| n.鉴赏家，行家，内行 | |
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122
erratic
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| adj.古怪的，反复无常的，不稳定的 | |
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123
descant
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| v.详论，絮说；n.高音部 | |
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124
rancor
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| n.深仇，积怨 | |
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125
impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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126
bankruptcy
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| n.破产；无偿付能力 | |
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127
exasperating
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| adj. 激怒的 动词exasperate的现在分词形式 | |
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128
collapse
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| vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷 | |
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129
elite
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| n.精英阶层；实力集团；adj.杰出的，卓越的 | |
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130
refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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131
sustenance
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| n.食物，粮食；生活资料；生计 | |
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132
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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133
condemn
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| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
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134
impure
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| adj.不纯净的，不洁的；不道德的，下流的 | |
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135
redeem
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| v.买回，赎回，挽回，恢复，履行（诺言等） | |
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136
pessimism
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| n.悲观者，悲观主义者，厌世者 | |
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137
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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138
maliciously
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| adv.有敌意地 | |
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139
fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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140
wrecked
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| adj.失事的，遇难的 | |
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141
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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142
brutality
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| n.野蛮的行为，残忍，野蛮 | |
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143
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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144
squandering
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| v.（指钱，财产等）浪费，乱花( squander的现在分词 ) | |
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145
puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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146
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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147
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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148
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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149
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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150
reverted
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| 恢复( revert的过去式和过去分词 )； 重提； 回到…上； 归还 | |
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151
apportion
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| vt.（按比例或计划）分配 | |
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152
foresight
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| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
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153
intoxicated
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| 喝醉的，极其兴奋的 | |
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154
patriots
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| 爱国者，爱国主义者( patriot的名词复数 ) | |
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155
hamper
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| vt.妨碍，束缚，限制；n.(有盖的)大篮子 | |
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156
subdividing
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| 再分，细分( subdivide的现在分词 ) | |
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157
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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158
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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159
chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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160
aggravation
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| n.烦恼，恼火 | |
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161
trickling
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| n.油画底色含油太多而成泡沫状突起v.滴( trickle的现在分词 )；淌；使)慢慢走；缓慢移动 | |
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162
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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163
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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164
sanctuary
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| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
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165
maniac
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| n.精神癫狂的人；疯子 | |
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166
insanity
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| n.疯狂，精神错乱；极端的愚蠢，荒唐 | |
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167
lugubrious
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| adj.悲哀的，忧郁的 | |
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168
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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169
sketches
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| n.草图( sketch的名词复数 )；素描；速写；梗概 | |
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170
enraptured
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| v.使狂喜( enrapture的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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171
bouquet
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| n.花束，酒香 | |
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172
pillaged
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| v.抢劫，掠夺( pillage的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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173
transgression
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| n.违背；犯规；罪过 | |
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174
urchin
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| n.顽童；海胆 | |
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175
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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176
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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177
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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178
caresses
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| 爱抚，抚摸( caress的名词复数 ) | |
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179
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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180
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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181
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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182
infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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183
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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184
overflowing
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| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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185
dwindling
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| adj.逐渐减少的v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的现在分词 ) | |
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186
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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187
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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188
penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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189
evocation
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| n. 引起，唤起 n. <古> 召唤，招魂 | |
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190
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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191
eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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192
mendacious
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| adj.不真的，撒谎的 | |
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193
idiotic
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| adj.白痴的 | |
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194
unlimited
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| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
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195
improvidence
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| n.目光短浅 | |
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196
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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197
equity
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| n.公正，公平，（无固定利息的）股票 | |
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198
equilibrium
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| n.平衡，均衡，相称，均势，平静 | |
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199
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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200
speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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201
pending
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| prep.直到，等待…期间；adj.待定的；迫近的 | |
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202
eventual
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| adj.最后的，结局的，最终的 | |
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203
definitive
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| adj.确切的，权威性的；最后的，决定性的 | |
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204
federation
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| n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会 | |
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205
futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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206
perpetuating
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| perpetuate的现在进行式 | |
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207
heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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208
steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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209
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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210
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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211
abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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212
withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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