f with Jeanne de
Lespoisse, and both would return to the castle at night, full of their
adventures, and pleased with their day's sport.

After a few days' observation, the good _seigneur_ of Montragoux felt
a decided preference for Jeanne, the younger sister, rather than
the elder, as she was fresher, which is not saying that she was less
experienced. He allowed his preference to appear; there was no reason
why he should conceal it, for it was a befitting preference; moreover,
he was a plain dealer. He paid court to the young lady as best he could,
speaking little, for want of practice; but he gazed at her, rolling his
rolling eyes, and emitting from the depths of his bowels sighs which
might have overthrown an oak tree. Sometimes he would burst out
laughing, whereupon the crockery trembled, and the windows rattled.
Alone of all the party, he failed to remark the assiduous attentions of
the Chevalier de la Merlus to Madame de Lespoisse's younger daughter,
or if he did remark them he saw no harm in them. His experience of women
was not sufficient to make him suspicious, and he trusted when he loved.
My grandmother used to say that in life experience is worthless, and
that one remains the same as when one begins. I believe she was right,
and the true story that I am now unfolding is not of a nature to prove
her wrong.

Bluebeard displayed an unusual magnificence in these festivities.
When night arrived the lawns before the castle were lit by a thousand
torches, and tables served by men-servants and maids dressed as fauns
and dryads groaned under all the tastiest things which the country-side
and the forest produced. Musicians provided a continual succession of
beautiful symphonies. Towards the end of the meal the schoolmaster and
schoolmistress, followed by the boys and girls of the village, appeared
before the guests, and read a complimentary address to the _seigneur_
of Montragoux and his friends. An astrologer in a pointed cap approached
the ladies, and foretold their future love-affairs from the lines of
their hands, Bluebeard ordered drink to be given for all his vassals,
and he himself distributed bread and meat to the poor families.

At ten o'clock, for fear of the evening dew, the company retired to
the apartments, lit by a multitude of candles, and there tables were
prepared for every sort of game: lansquenet, billiards, reversi,
bagatelle, pigeon-holes, turnstile, porch, beast, hoca, brelan,
draughts, backgam