With her compassionate eyes she thanked her mother in the distance for having prepared this fete in honor of her marriage.

The clarionet, violin, and cornet sounded a last modulation, then the final cadence put an end to the bounds of the dances.

Each took his lady to her place--the mayor with pompous gait, Serge with as much grace as if he had been at an ambassador's ball and was leading a young lady of highest rank.
Madame Desvarennes was suddenly surrounded; cheers resounded, the band struck up the Marseillaise.
"Let us escape," said Serge, "because these good people will think nothing of carrying us in triumph." And leading away his mother-in-law and his wife, he left the ballroom followed by cheers.
Outside they all three walked in silence.

The night air was delightful after coming out of that furnace.

The cheering had ceased, and the orchestra was playing a polka.