Page 47 [47]
YVON AND BRINE DE 2 B;
nor thirsty after so long a journey, I suppose at least that
you have not forgotten the laws of politeness.”
Yvon dared not refuse this appeal. He was very wrong.
Searcely had he tasted the pomegranate when he looked
round him like a man waking from a dream.
‘What am I doing on this horse?" thought he. " What
means this pony that I am leading? Is not my place m my
father’s house at my sister’s wedding? Why should I quit
the castle?”
He threw the bridle to one of the grooms, leaped lightly
to the ground, and offered his hand to the fair-haired
lady, who accepted him as her attendant on the spot,
and gave him her bouquet to hold as a special mark of
favor.
Before the evening was over there was another betrothed
couple in the castle. Yvon had pledged his faith to the
unknown lady and Finette was forgotten.
V
Poor Finette, seated on the seashore, waited all day
long for Yvon, but Yvon did not come. The sun was
setting in the fiery waves when Finette rose, sighing, and
took the way to the castle in her turn. She had not
walked long in a steep road, bordered with thorn-trees in
blossom, when she found herself in front of a wretched
hut at the door of which stood an old woman about to
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