He was glad that this children had friends like Rose or Metcalf, who was enthused about ornithology and collected birds’ eggs, but reluctantly he gave permission to skate with the Americans in the evening on the lantern-lit ice at the Marais. When Blanche Hoschedé, a painter, shared Breck’s enthusiasm for the subject and fell in love with him, Monet forced her to end the relationship. Soon afterward, the same situation developed between Suzanne Hoschedé and Theodore Butler.

Madame Hoschedé told Monet about the young couple’s intentions in March 1892, just after the house was purchased and one year before Monet’s famed lily pond was built. He was then working on his cathedrals at Rouen, and responded : “My dear friend, if you only knew how much your letter upset me ! Since this morning 1 have been able to think of nothing else ... It is highly unlikely that this young man would have dared to visit you unless Suzanne had responded to his advances. Furthermore, I find it strange that again things began to happen in my absence. This young man may be a good fellow, but what we know about his adventurous life and his situation is far from reassuring. ... Having said that, whether you act upon what 1 have said or not, it is impossible for me to remain any longer at Giverny. I want to sell the house right away. You know what 1 did about Breck and the other one, and you know what the result of it was - 1 don’t want to start all over again (March 10, 1892).“

Madame Lucien Baudy treated Watson, Robinson and Butler like her own children – they were about the same age as her son Gaston and friends of his. Thus she hastened to the couple’s rescue. She sent letters ; Beckwith obtained information from the United States, and Robinson reassured Monet and Madame Hoschedé. The marriage took place on july 20, 1892, with Philip Hale as witness. Robinson painted it (catalogue number 88) and noted in his journal on August 5 : "A dense fog early clearing off later, and commenced my "Wedding March," my model being the groom’s silk hat, lent me by Gaston. "

At the Hôtel Baudy, now the heart of a long and narrow village, one painted of course, but one also gave parties. Although the boarders were painters first, many of them were good writers, musicians and athletes. Far from feeling estranged, the villagers continued coming to the café so that painters and village knew each other, waved to each other, and drank together. This joyous activity rescued Giverny from a deep stupor. The walls in the dining room were inscribed and decorated by the boarders. Two paintings of dances, which were organized on Saturdays, inspire nostalgia : one by Metcalf, the other by Robert Chambers. The people of Giverny came to see the costumes when there were masked balls, to hear piano music or banjo playing, and to watch billiard championships.