"Now," continued Janille, "I will go on and finish our story for Monsieur Emile. We bought back the château. Jean Jappeloup and Monsieur Antoine themselves did all the carpentering and cabinet making in this pavilion, and while they were finishing the work, which lasted hardly six months, I went to Paris to fetch our child, and happy and proud I was to bring her back to the château of her ancestors, which she hardly remembered that she had lived in when she was a baby, poor child! Since then we have been very happy here, and when I hear Monsieur Antoine complain of anything, I can't help blaming him; for what man was ever more blessed than he after all?"
"But I don't complain of anything," rejoined Monsieur Antoine, "and your reproach is unjust."
"Oh! you sometimes look as if you'd like to say that you don't cut as good a figure here as you used to do, and in that you are wrong. Come, were you really any richer when you had thirty thousand francs a year? People robbed you and cheated you and you knew nothing about it. To-day you have the necessaries of life, and you need have no fear of thieves; everybody knows that you have no rolls of gold pieces hidden in your straw bed. You had ten servants, each a greater glutton and sot and sluggard than the rest; Parisian servants, that tells the whole story. To-day you have Monsieur Sylvain Charasson, also a glutton and a sluggard, I agree." As she said this, Janille raised her voice, so that Sylvain could hear in the kitchen; then added in a lower tone: "But his stupidity makes you laugh, and when he breaks something, you are not sorry to find that you're not the most awkward member of the household. You had ten horses, always badly kept, and unfit to be used because they weren't properly taken care of; to-day you have your old Lanterne, the best animal in the world, always well-groomed, full of courage and sober—you should see her eat dry leaves and rushes, just like a goat! And speaking of goats, where will you find finer ones? Just like two deer, excellent milkers, and always amusing you with their pretty antics, climbing over the ruins for your evening entertainment! And what about your cellar? You had one that was well supplied, but your rascally flunkeys baptized themselves with wine as they pleased, and you drank only what was left. Now you drink your light native wine, which you have always liked, and which is healthy and refreshing. When I take a hand in making it, it's as clear as water from the rock and doesn't heat your stomach. And aren't you satisfied with your clothes? You used to have a wardrobe that was eaten up by the moths, and your waistcoats went out of fashion before you had worn them; for you never cared for dress. To-day you have just what you need to keep cool in summer and warm in winter; the village tailor fits you beautifully and doesn't make your clothes too tight at the joints. Come, monsieur, confess that everything is for the best, that you never had less care, and that you are the luckiest of men; for I have said nothing yet of the privilege of having a lovely daughter who is happy with you——-"
"And an incomparable Janille who is intent wholly upon other people's happiness!" cried Monsieur Antoine with deep emotion mingled with gayety. "Well! you are right, Janille, and I was persuaded of it beforehand. Vive Dieu! you insult me by doubting it, for I feel that I am in very truth the spoiled child of Providence, and except for a secret trouble, of which you are well aware and which you did well not to mention, there is absolutely nothing which I would change. I drink to your health, Janille! you have talked like a book! Your health too, Monsieur Emile! You are young and rich, you are well educated and a thinking man; therefore you have no reason to envy other people; but I wish you as pleasant an old age as mine and as tender affections in your heart. But we have talked enough of ourselves," he added, putting his glass on the table, "and we mustn't forget our other friends. Let us talk about the best of them all, after Janille; let us talk about old Jean Jappeloup and his affairs."
"Yes, let us talk about him!" cried a loud voice which made everybody start; and Monsieur Antoine, turning his head, saw Jean Jappeloup in the doorway.
"What! Jean in broad daylight!" he cried, in utter amazement.
"Yes, I have come in broad daylight and through the main gateway too," replied the carpenter wiping his forehead. "Oh! but I have run! Give me a glass of wine, Mère Janille, for I am choked with the heat."
"Poor Jean!" cried Gilberte, running to the door to close it; "were you pursued? We'll see about hiding you. Perhaps they will come and look for you here."
"No, no," said Jean, "no, my good girl, leave the doors open, nobody is following me. I bring you good news and that is why I hurried so. I am free, I am happy, I am saved!"
"Mon Dieu!" cried Gilberte, taking the old peasant's dusty head in her lovely hands, "so my prayer has been granted! I prayed so earnestly for you last night!"