I cannot be indebted to him for many gratifications of my pride; but never mind! I am sure of _his_ good-will." Dinner was served, and the table more heavily laden with viands than the stomach of Gargantua.

Big Peter, as proud of his big family as of his little fortune, made the Colonel stand by as he enumerated his children.
And Fougas was joyful at learning that he had six welcome grandchildren.
He was seated at the right of a little stunted old woman who was presented to him as the grandmother of the youngsters.

Heavens! how changed Clementine appeared to him.

Save the eyes which were still lively and sparkling, there was no longer anything about her that could be recognized.

"See," thought Fougas, "what I would have been like to-day, if the worthy John Meiser had not desiccated me!" He smiled to himself on regarding Grandfather Langevin, the reputed progenitor of this numerous family.