. It was
simply an improvement on that of the local villages in general, the
dwellings being upon the border of the street and not far apart, with
their little, foot-wide flower-gardens close against the front. The
circular fan of a patent windmill lifted itself lightly, the most
prominent object in the settlement, and a charming Gothic schoolhouse
crouched farther down on the opposite side. Behind the houses, growths
of trees formed an enclosing background, according to the tastes of the
owners, but guided by some harmonizing supervision like the colors. And
at a short distance the avenue was crossed by a white poplar grove,
which brought the scene to a limit, and separated this dream of a rural
statesman from the common world.

"V'la, monsieur," said Zotique, who had joined them, stretching his
hand, "Behold the cherished work of our young seigneur."

Upon the galleries, the verandahs, the green lawn, the picture moved
with life. A half-haze, precursive of the twilight, lent scenic softness
to the forms of old men puffing their pipes before the doors, a maiden
listlessly strolling on the sward, a swarm of children playing near the
road, a distant toiler making his way home, bearing his scythe. The
visitors went down into the place and Chrysler saw that the artistic
shapes and ideal colors were worn with daily use, the men and women,
serene-looking, were still the every day mortals of the region.

"I think I have gained a great step in the houses and street," said
Haviland.

"And the Reveilliere is proud of its founder," added l'Honorable.

"We have a little newspaper--_Le Coup d'Oeil_,"--cried Zotique.

Chrysler congratulated Chamilly on his felicity of design in the
dwellings.

The greater size of the houses was chiefly for better ventilation. The
windmill was part of a simple water-works system, which supplied the
village with draughts from the bottom of the river. The school was a
gift of Chamilly's.

"If we had some great architect among us," replied he, "he would
transmute for our country a national architecture."

A little house, conspicuous for the delicacy of its architecture, stood
near them, and a young man--the schoolmaster--who was on the verandah,
reading, in his shirtsleeves, threw down his newspaper at the call of
Zotique, came forward and entered eloquently into the work of
information about the Reveilliere, flinging his cotton-clad arms
recklessly towards the winds of heaven.

"The Instit