The conversation turned at first on the procession which would take place that night and which promised to be a superb spectacle as the weather was so fine.

There were more than fifty thousand strangers gathered together in Lourdes that day, for visitors had come in from all the neighbouring bathing stations.

This explained the crush at the _table d'hote_.

Possibly the town would run short of bread as had been the case the previous year.
"You saw what a scramble there is," concluded Majeste, "we really don't know how to manage.

It isn't my fault, I assure you, if you are kept waiting for a short time." At this moment, however, a postman arrived with a large batch of newspapers and letters which he deposited on a table in the office.