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erable thing that the fusion of these two destinies whence a
family is destined to spring, should begin at home, and that
the household should thenceforth have its nuptial chamber
as its witness.
And people were so immodest as to marry in their own
homes.
The marriage took place, therefore, in accordance with
this now superannuated fashion, at M. Gillenormand’s
house.
Natural and commonplace as this matter of marrying is,
the banns to publish, the papers to be drawn up, the may-
oralty, and the church produce some complication. They
could not get ready before the 16th of February.
Now, we note this detail, for the pure satisfaction of be-
ing exact, it chanced that the 16th fell on Shrove Tuesday.
Hesitations, scruples, particularly on the part of Aunt Gil-
lenormand.
‘Shrove Tuesday!’ exclaimed the grandfather, ‘so much
the better. There is a proverb:
“‘Mariage un Mardi gras
N’aura point enfants ingrats.’“A Shrove-Tuesday marriage will have no ungrateful children.’Let us proceed. Here goes for the 16th! Do you want to
delay, Marius?’
‘No, certainly not!’ replied the lover.
‘Let us marry, then,’ cried the grandfather.