"
Maurice was intoxicated with joy. He understood the irregularity of
such a marriage, but he knew it would reassure Marie-Anne's troubled
conscience. Poor girl! she was suffering an agony of remorse. It was
that which was killing her.
He did not speak to her on the subject, however, fearing something might
occur to interfere with the project.
But the old physician had not given his word lightly, and everything
took place as he had promised.
The priest at Vigano blessed the marriage of Maurice d'Escorval and of
Marie-Anne Lacheneur, and after inscribing their names upon the church
register, he gave them a certificate, upon which the physician and
Corporal Bavois figured as witnesses.
That same evening the mules were sent back to Saliente, and the
fugitives resumed their journey.
Abbe Midon had counselled them to reach Turin as quickly as possible.
"It is a large city," he said; "you will be lost in the crowd. I have
more than one friend there, whose name and address are upon this paper.
Go to them, and in that way I will try to send you news of your father.
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