human
Listen, Schneider; I beg of your tenderness one of those favors which a man cannot refuse to his betrothed. Some pride mingles with my happiness. It is not in Plobsheim, a poor village of Alsace, that the first of our citizens should give his name to the woman whom he loves and whom he has chosen. I desire that the people should recognize me for Schneider's wife and not for his concubine. In every town you have been accompanied by a mistress, and the mistake might easily be made. It is only fifteen miles to Strasbourg. I must make some preparations for my trousseau, for I wish it to be worthy of the bridegroom. To-morrow, at any hour you like, we will go alone, or accompanied, before the citizens, the generals, and the representatives.
gpt
Souvenirs de la Révolution.
human
I am willing, cried Schneider;
gpt
I will agree to anything that you like, on one condition.
human
What is it?
gpt
It is that we start to-day instead of to-morrow.
human
Impossible, said Clotilde, growing pale.
gpt
It is now half-past one and the gates of the city close at three.
human
Then they shall be closed at four! And summoning two of his hussars, lest an accident befall one or the other on the road, he said:
gpt
Ride at full speed to Strasbourg, and tell them not to shut the Kehl gate until four o'clock. You will remain at the gate and see that my orders are executed.
human
All must be as you wish, said Clotilde, laying her hand in Schneider's.
gpt
Certainly, papa, I have every prospect of being a happy bride.