18. Bayards, Fanny

Being in New York, I went at once to see my brother; but I wasn't long in finding out that there is nothing to be gained in dealing with a stupid man. He was very calm when I asked why he had behaved so toward me. He answered without embarrassment that he suspected that Henri was going to steal from me; and that it was to render me a service that he had appropriated the money. And when I said, "Give it to me," he answered that he had thought we'd be together; and that he had purchased tools which he believed I would enjoy using. As to having made fun of me, he denied everything, accusing Henri of being a liar. As to the idea of theft, there was nothing to think about it, as he had property in Switzerland from which I could make him pay. I saw that my brother had acted as would have many fellows of villages. He had thought to do something brilliant to make himself admired by his friends in Locle, without thinking further. As my brother knew nothing about watch repairing, I was eight days running about the city of New York, trying to find him a suitable position. At last I placed him with a man from the Canton de Neuchatel, Louis Dillon, where he would earn a little; but where he would have occasion to learn his trade very well.

My brother being placed, I embarked on the steamer, "City of Glasgow," which sailed to Glasgow. We made the crossing in twelve days, then by the first train I left for London; and from there to Dieppe, where we arrived in the morning, so that I could not have a night's rest. The departures from London are made when the river permits. From Dieppe to Paris from there to Besançon. From there taking a stagecoach, I arrived in Villers the same afternoon; and walked to Henri's home in the village of Pargots, not having changed my clothes since New York. Also, I was thin, tired, and tanned. Henri’s wife had just delivered her daughter Heloise. He didn't know whether he dared leave her -- but he decided to. [La femme à Henri venait d'accoucher de sa fille Heloïse; il ne savait pas s'il sait la quitter; mais il s'y décida]. Thus we left the next day for Les Bayards, taking a coach at Locle, and arriving there in the afternoon. It was the last day of July, 1856.

After having left the coach, we went to rest a few minutes in the waiting room. I hoped by this delay to bolster up my courage to call on my prospective wife and her family. At last we went to the house. Inside the door we found ourselves in a large, poorly lighted kitchen; and I saw two women, one was pale with a sour smile;the other with rosy cheeks and a sweet expression. I saw in a flash which one was for me. The pale one was Dolie. Then, entering into the living room, I saw Louise, another sister, and the mother -- who was of nice appearance, but who showed a trace of anxiety.

Fanny then led us into another room, where she served us some red wine with sugar, retaining in her hands her knitting the while. It was a wonderful time for me. What a contrast with the American girl. Those rosy cheeks, the face a little burned by the sun in haying, those blue eyes, and the sweetness mixed with dignity! Where is the American girl who would have had her knitting upon such an occasion? In fact, the woman whom God had given me, left nothing to be desired.

After a long enough conversation, I proposed that Henri and I should go for a walk, while the ladies prepared the supper. That would give them a chance together to talk over the new arrival. I left then, with Henri, and walking slowly, we arrived at Verrieres. Henri suddenly felt himself stricken with weakness; and we had to enter a cabaret in order that he might regain his strength. There he had to drink and eat, which took a lot of time. I was much embarrassed by this delay. Drinking in a cabaret, in such circumstances, did not denote an ardent lover. I was glad when we could leave. The girls, not knowing to what to attribute our delay, were on their way to meet us.

Thus, after having asked of God a wife, I had the joy of seeing the one destined for me. It was enough for one day. I retired early and rested tranquilly, for I saw that God had blessed my voyage.