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Monsieur Blondet； appointed prefect in one of the departments； was
celebrated in Paris。 On their way to take possession of the
prefecture； they followed the road which led past what had formerly
been Les Aigues。 They stopped the carriage near the spot where the two
pavilions had once stood； wishing to see the places so full of tender
memories for each。 The country was no longer recognizable。 The
mysterious woods； the park avenues； all were cleared away； the
landscape looked like a tailor's pattern…card。 The sons of the soil
had taken possession of the earth as victors and conquerors。 It was
cut up into a thousand little lots； and the population had tripled
between Conches and Blangy。 The levelling and cultivation of the noble
park； once so carefully tended； so delightful in its beauty； threw
into isolated relief the pavilion of the Rendezvous； now the Villa
Buen…Retiro of Madame Isaure Gaubertin； it was the only building left
standing； and it commanded the whole landscape； or as we might better
call it； the stretch of cornfields which now constituted the
landscape。 The building seemed magnified into a chateau； so miserable
were the little houses which the peasants had built around it。
〃This is progress！〃 cried Emile。 〃It is a page out of Jean…Jacques'
'Social Compact'！ and II am harnessed to the social machine that
works it！ Good God！ what will the kings be soon？ More than that； what
will the nations themselves be fifty years hence under this state of
things？〃
〃But you love me； you are beside me。 I think the present delightful。
What do I care for such a distant future？〃 said his wife。
〃Oh yes！ by your side； hurrah for the present！〃 cried the lover；
gayly； 〃and the devil take the future。〃
Then he signed to the coachman； and as the horses sprang forward along
the road； the wedded pair returned to the enjoyment of their
honeymoon。
1845。
End