On the evening of that memorable New Year’s Day, Mr. and Mrs. Hancq gave a supper for friends. Mayor Florisonne and his wife; Mussche the younger, the acting notary; Dr. Soenen and his wife from Crocke; Dolfine, the Rich Farmer’s daughter, with her two brothers, students home for the Christmas holidays; two well-to-do country councillors, both unmarried; the Misses Santander; three young ladies from the countryside; and the secretary of Vroden, a widower, made up the company.
Mrs. Hancq, determined to do herself credit as a hostess, had brought in a cook. There were delicious oysters, delicate dishes, and a pair of turkeys as the main course. Champagne corks popped freely, and the foaming wine was poured with a generous hand. Yet a certain constraint remained: the assembled company did not seem entirely harmonious, despite Luc’s every effort to stir up good spirits with lively, well-seasoned anecdotes and repeated encouragements to drink.
The two young students did not say a word, and the councillors said little; all four devoured their food like beasts of prey.