The Fete At Coqueville – Emile Zola – Platanus Publishing

Alone, in the midst of topsy-turvy Coqueville, Delphin preserved the laughter of a love-sick boy, who scorned the rest, provided Margot was for him. He followed her zigzags as one follows hares. Very wise, despite his simple look, he wan­ted the cure to marr y them, so that his bliss might last forever.

One evening, in a byway where he was watching for her, Margot at last raised her hand. But she stopped, all red; for without waiting for the slap, he had seized the hand that th­reatened him and kissed it furiously. As she trembled, he said to her in a low voice: "I love you. Won't you have me?"