CHAPTER VI.
Three years afterward, by the merest accident in the world, I happened to return to my favorite little village. There was evidently some excitement going on, and as I chanced to recognize my old friend Father Hermann, I went up and renewed our acquaintance.
"What is the matter?" said he; "why you do not mean to say you don't know?"
"Not in the least."
"Why your old friend Alphonsine has been dead six months."
"I really don't see why the worthy inhabitants of the village should rejoice at that," said I.
"A great obstacle has been removed," said the father; "don't you remember?"
"Of course; and what has followed?"
"The marriage of Pierre Prévost and Marie!"