Such luxuries were not
ours; and so it came to pass that, very soon after we had seen the sad
procession winding down the hill, we were winding up it; looking back
with "long lingering gaze" at the lovely spot which was fast
disappearing from view.
"I knew you would be charmed with St. Jean-du-Doigt," said Madame
Hellard; "everyone is so. _Le paysage est si riant_. A pity you could
not be there for the _Pardon_."
We hardly agreed with her.
"I assure you," she continued, "seen from the tower, where you are
removed from the crowd and the beggars and the sick folk, it is most
interesting and picturesque. Am I not right, cher ami?" turning to her
husband.
"You are always right," replied Monsieur gallantly.
"Oh, that is prejudice," laughed Madame. "But le Pardon of St
Jean-du-Doigt, with its procession winding up the hill, its bonfire, its
religious observances, is quite exceptionally interesting. I am sure
when I saw the _dragon_ go off from the tower and set fire to the
_bucher_, and heard the charge of musketry and roll of drums, I could
have thrown myself off the platform with emotion.
Pages:
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165