The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1893-11-08
CHAPTER XI.
AN UNFORESEEN DELAY.

Meanwhile things had been progress
ing merrily indoors. M. Dumont at the
head of the table, with his son and future
daughter-in-law at his right and left
hand and M. Germenil facing him, had
pressed his good fare on his guests with
hearty country hospitality, and they had
done justice to it in way that delighted
the old cuisiniere, Margot, who was as
much part of Les Bons Amis as the
walls themselves and who had insisted
on carrying one or two Of the principal
dishes herself, setting them down before
her master with "Voilaw full Of mean
ing, which seemed to say, "Beat that if
you can," while her complacent smile
showed she was sure of her position as
the best cook in all the country round.
The good wine circulated freely-healths
were drunk and old stories retold, and
full of high good humor and content they
adjourned to the red damask salon to
witness the signing of the contract.
Here, however, an unexpected hitch
occurred. At the last moment it was
discovered that the notaire, who had
come from the neighboring town of st.
Maurice, some leagues away, and was
the guest of his cousin, the cure at the
presbytere, had forgotten an essential
paper, without which the necessary for
malities could not be completed. There
was great dismay at this hitch in the
proceedings, and much wrath was poured
out on the head Of the notary's clerk, to
whom the forgetfulness was attributed
"a SQUIRE douleur is indispensable Oh
such occasions. Charles was in despair.
poor little Clementine almost in tears
for she had overheard the whispers of
couple Of old commeres, who, with
many shakes Of the head and signs, de-
cided that such delays We're very un-
lucky, and they wouldn't be surprised
at anything that might happen. Per-
haps there would be no wedding at all.
etc.
However, there was nothing for it but
to make the best Of it. So it was decided
that the notary's clerk should start at
once, and taking. the carriOle should
make all speed to St. Maurice, procure
the missing paper and return after a
short rest, so as to arrive at Les Bons
Amis by breakfast time. The contract
could then be signed at once and the
wedding go on as already arranged.
The only person dissatisfied with this
arrangement was the poor clerk, who
was not remarkable for courage and did
not particularly relish the long, lonely
drive in the dark which lay between
him and St. Maurice. Specially, as when
the stories were going round after din
ner, he had overheard the maire of the
village, M. Riffaut, tell his neighbor
at table that there was a report that
the notorious Robert Macaire had es-
capped from prison at Lyons. Of course
Lyons was long way off, but all the
same the little clerk did not feel at all
comfortable. However it was settled
without his opinion being asked, and
Pierre was dispatched to see that the
carriole was harnessed without delay.
After little more conversation on the
all important subject, the company took
their departure, promising to come in the
morning in good time, and bidding
Charles and Clementine keep up their
spirits, for after all there would not be
any real delay in the marriage, and the
contract could just as we'll be signed in
the morning, and the only i'll foreboding