"There is no longer any question of deciding; we accept the hearty invitation."
"Which?"
"Of course Herr Sonnenkamp's."
"That's right," said the Major with a broad smile. "Will you allow me to light a cigar? Did your husband, now gone to his eternal home, smoke too?"
"Yes, indeed."
Aunt Claudine had quickly lighted a match, and held it up to the Major with her delicate fingers.
"That's fair! that's fair!" cried the Major. "You've given me fire, and I promise to go through fire for you."
He was very happy over this turn, and he puffed away yet happier.
There were, of course, a great many things to be got ready, before they could set out. The Major promised that Joseph should come and bring everything away after they had departed; not one thread should be left behind. He then withdrew for a few hours, in order to pay a visit to some brother free-masons.
At midday, the Major was riding with the two ladies in a first-class railroad car towards the Rhine, and he was as proud and as happy as if he had carried off the army-chest of the enemy.