the numerous
windows looking into it were visible the folds of the rich curtains in
the chambers that were formerly the favourite haunt of owls and bats.
They went on down into the garden, by a noble flight of broad stone
steps, no longer tottering and moss-grown, and turned first to seek the
wild eglantine which had offered its delicate little rose to the young
actress, on the memorable morning when the baron had decided to go forth
from his ruined castle for love of her. It had another dainty blossom
ready for her now, which Isabelle received from de Sigognac's hand, with
tears, that told of a happiness too deep for words, welling up into her
eyes, and exchanged with her adored and adoring husband a long, fond
look, that seemed to give to each a glimpse of heaven.

The gardeners had been busy too, and had converted the neglected
wilderness we made acquaintance with long ago into a veritable little
paradise. At the end of the well-ordered and exquisitely arranged garden,
Pomona still stood in her cool grotto, restored to all the beauty of her
youth, while a stream of pure, sparkling water poured from the lion's
mouth, and fell with a musical murmur into the marble basin. Even in
their best and most glorious days the garden and the chateau had never
known greater beauty and luxury than now. The baron, ever more and more
astonished and enchanted, as he rambled slowly through it all, like one
in a delicious dream, kept Isabelle's arm pressed tenderly to his heart,
and was not ashamed to let her see the tears that at last he could no
longer restrain, and which came from a very full heart.

"Now," said Isabelle, "that we have seen everything here, we must go and
inspect the different pieces of property we have been able to buy back,
so as to reconstruct, as nearly as possible, the ancient barony of
Sigognac. I will leave you for a few moments, to go and put on my riding
habit; I shall not be long, for I learned to make changes of that sort
very rapidly in my old profession, you know. Will you, meantime, go and
select our horses, and order that they should be made ready?"

Vallombreuse accompanied de Sigognac to the stables, where they found
ten splendid horses contentedly munching their oats in their oaken
stalls. Everything was in perfect order, but ere the baron had time to
admire and praise, as he wished to do, a loud whinnying that was almost
deafening suddenly burst forth, as good old Bayard peremptorily claimed
his