Laboulaye's Fairy Book

at Kerver Castle, namely, the marriage of Yvon and the fair-haired lady. Two days had passed in these preparations, and all the friends of the family had gathered together for twenty leagues rou

in token of honor. By the side of each baron, a squire, also on horseback, carried the seigniorial banner. At the head of the procession rode the seneschal, with a

dent repaired, the coachman cracked his whip, and the horses started with such force that the new trace broke in three pieces. Six times

arpenters, were not the last to make a show of their knowledge. This gave the ste

there lives a woman who does things such as nobody else can do. Only persuad

ery obligingly lent them her gold tongs. They were put in the place of the t

rk at once; they sawed planks, nailed them down fast, and in the twinkling of an eye repaired the accident. The coachman cracked his whip and the horses started, when, behold! half of the carriage was left behind; the Baroness Kerver sat m

This gave the bailiff courage. He appro

man who does things such as nobody else can do. Only persuade her to lend you her d

y put it in the bottom of the carriage, where it fitted as if it had been made expressly for it. The party took their seat

ten, twenty-four more were put to the carriage, but all in vain; it was impossible to stir them.

ple peasants was not the custom of the Kervers. They tried to lift the carriage, they pushed the wheels, they sh

he seneschal courage. He approached the baron, aligh

woman who does things such as nobody else can do. Only persuade her to lend you

ran to the cottage of Finette, who very o

it was better than to remain unmarried in the road. The heifer was harnessed, therefore, befor

n, betrothed, coachman, all were hurried away by the furious animal. In vain the knights spurred their horses to follow the pair; in vain the peasan

ny and the bridal pair had long been expected; but, instead of stopping, the cow redoubled her speed. Thirteen times she ran round the church like lightning, the