"
This great day, in which such vast interests of heart and fortune were
decided, caused but one anxiety to the Master of the Hunt,--namely,
whether or not the stag would cross the pond and be killed on the lawn
before the house; for huntsmen of his calibre are like great
chess-players who can predict a checkmate under certain circumstances.
The happy old man succeeded to the height of his wishes; the run was
magnificent, and the ladies released him from his attendance upon them
for the hunt of the next day but one,--which, however, turned out to
be rainy.
The Duc de Verneuil's guests stayed five days at Rosembray. On the
last day the Gazette de France announced the appointment of Monsieur
le Baron de Canalis to the rank of commander of the Legion of honor,
and to the post of minister at Carlsruhe.
When, early in the month of December, Madame de La Bastie, operated
upon by Desplein, recovered her sight and saw Ernest de La Briere for
the first time, she pressed Modeste's hand and whispered in her ear,
"I should have chosen him myself."
Toward the last of February all the deeds for the estates in Provence
were signed by Latournelle, and about that time the family of La
Bastie obtained the marked honor of the king's signature to the
marriage contract and to the ordinance transmitting their title and
arms to La Briere, who henceforth took the name of La Briere-La
Bastie.
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