erself through
the excitement of her first evening party with a demure little air of
self-possession.

She had scarce spoken to Loo during the evening. Indeed, it had been his
duty to attend on Madame de Chantonnay and on the older members of these
quiet Royalist families biding their time in the remote country villages
of Guienne and the Vendee.

On the journey home, the Marquis had so much to tell his companion, and
told it so hurriedly, that his was the only voice heard above the
rattle of the heavy, old-fashioned carriage. But Barebone was aware of
Juliette's presence in a dark corner of the roomy vehicle, and his
eyes, seeking to penetrate the gloom, could just distinguish hers, which
seemed to be turned in his direction.

Many changes had been effected at the chateau, and a suite of rooms had
been prepared for Barebone in the detached building known as the Italian
house, which stands in the midst of the garden within the enceinte of
the chateau walls.

"I have been able," explained the Marquis, frankly, "to obtain a small
advance on the results of last autumn's vintage. My notary in the
village found, indeed, that facilities were greater than he had
anticipated. With this sum, I have been enabled to effect some necessary
repairs to the buildings and the internal decorations. I had fallen
behind the times, perhaps. But now that Juliette is installed as
chatelaine, many changes have been effected. You will see, my dear
friend; you will see for yourself. Yes, for the moment, I am no longer
a pauper. As you yourself will have noticed, in your journey through
the west, rural France is enjoying a sudden return of prosperity. It is
unaccountable. No one can make me believe that it is to be ascribed to
this scandalous Government, under which we agonise. But there it is--and
we must thank Heaven for it."

Which was only the truth. For France was at this time entering upon
a period of plenty. The air was full of rumours of new railways, new
roads, and new commercial enterprise. Banks were being opened in the
provincial towns, and loans made on easy terms to agriculturists for the
improvement of their land.

Barebone found that there were indeed changes in the old chateau.
The apartments above that which had once been the stabling, hitherto
occupied by the Marquis, had been added to and a slight attempt at
redecoration had been made. There was no lack of rooms, and Juliette now
had her own suite, while the Marquis li