m to the unrefined, rough surroundings in which
she was placed.

While Julien was immersed in these reflections, and continued eating
with an abstracted air, Reine Vincart was rapidly examining the
reserved, almost ungainly, young man, who did not dare address any
conversation to her, and who was equally stiff and constrained with
those sitting near him. She made a mental comparison of him with
Claudet, the bold huntsman, alert, resolute, full of dash and spirit,
and a feeling of charitable compassion arose in her heart at the thought
of the reception which the Sejournant family would give to this new
master, so timid and so little acquainted with the ways and dispositions
of country folk. Julien did not impress her as being able to defend
himself against the ill-will of persons who would consider him an
intruder, and would certainly endeavor to make him pay dearly for the
inheritance of which he had deprived them.

"You do not take your wine, Monsieur de Buxieres!" said she, noticing
that her guest's glass was still full.

"I am not much of a wine-drinker," replied he, "and besides, I never
take wine by itself--I should be obliged if you would have some water
brought."

Reine smiled, and passed him the water-bottle.

"Indeed?" she said, "in that case, you have not fallen among congenial
spirits, for in these mountains they like good dinners, and have a
special weakness for Burgundy. You follow the chase, at any rate?"

"No, Mademoiselle, I do not know how to handle a gun!"

"I suppose it is not your intention to settle in Vivey?"

"Why not?" replied he; "on the contrary, I intend to inhabit the
chateau, and establish myself there definitely."

"What!" exclaimed Reine, laughing, "you neither drink nor hunt, and
you intend to live in our woods! Why, my poor Monsieur, you will die of
ennui."

"I shall have my books for companions; besides, solitude never has had
any terrors for me."

The young girl shook her head incredulously.

"I shouldn't wonder," she continued, "if you do not even play at cards."

"Never; games of chance are repugnant to me."

"Take notice that I do not blame you," she replied, gayly, "but I must
give you one piece of advice: don't speak in these neighborhoods of your
dislike of hunting, cards, or good wine; our country folk would feel
pity for you, and that would destroy your prestige."

Julien gazed at her with astonishment. She turned away to give
directions to La Guite about the