It had been mentioned in 'Truth' with that freshness and point all its own.

What character than Gaston's could more appeal to his naive imagination?
It said in a piquant note that he did not wear a dagger and sombrero.
Everything was ready.

Decorations were up, the cook and the butler had done their parts.

At eleven in the morning Gaston had time on his hands.
Walking out, he saw two or three children peeping in at the gateway.
He would visit the village school.

He found the junior curate troubling the youthful mind with what their godfathers and godmothers did for them, and begging them to do their duty "in that state of life," etc.
He listened, wondering at the pious opacity, and presently asked the children to sing.