knotted cheek; at which all the women broke into chorus as
I have heard blackbirds rejoice.

"I have not seen them for so long!" Madame de Ferrier said, wiping her
eyes. "We have all forgotten our behavior!"

An inverted pine tree hung over the inn door, and dinner was laid for us
in its best room, where host and hostess served the marquise and the
young marquis almost on their knees.

When we passed out at the other end of the village, Eagle showed me a
square-towered church.

"The De Ferriers are buried there--excepting my father. I shall put a
tablet in the wall for Cousin Philippe. Few Protestants in France had
their rights and privileges protected as ours were by the throne. I
mention this fact, sire, that you may lay it up in your mind! We have
been good subjects, well worth our salt in time of war."

Best of all was coming to the chateau when the sun was about an hour
high. The stone pillars of the gateway let us upon a terraced lawn,
where a fountain played, keeping bent plumes of water in the air. The
lofty chateau of white stone had a broad front, with wings. Eagle bade
me note the two dove-cotes or pigeon towers, distinctly separate
structures, one flanking each wing, and demonstrating the antiquity of
the house. For only nobles in medieval days were accorded the privilege
of keeping doves.

Should there be such another evening for me when I come to paradise, if
God in His mercy brings me there, I shall be grateful, but hardly with
such fresh-hearted joy. Night descends with special benediction on
remote ancient homes like Mont-Louis. We walked until sunset in the
park, by lake, and bridged stream, and hollied path; Ernestine
carrying Paul or letting him pat behind, driving her by her long cap
ribbons while he explored his mother's playground. But when the birds
began to nest, and dewfall could be felt, he was taken to his supper and
his bed, giving his mother a generous kiss, and me a smile of his
upcurled mouth corners. His forehead was white and broad, and his blue
eyes were set well apart.

[Illustration: We walked until sunset in the park, by lake, and bridged
stream, and hollied path.]

I can yet see the child looking over Ernestine's shoulder. She carried
him up stairs of oak worn hollow like stone, a mighty hand-wrought
balustrade rising with them from hall to roof.

We had our supper in a paneled room where the lights were reflected as
on mirrors of polished oak, and the man who served us