They were necessary to him.

So perfect was the organisation of this household, that its functions were performed like those of a machine,--without noise, variation, or effort.
Thus when the count returned from his journey, the sleeping hotel was awakened as if by the spell of an enchanter.

Each servant was at his post; and the occupations, interrupted during the past six weeks, resumed without confusion.

As the count was known to have passed the day on the road, the dinner was served in advance of the usual hour.

All the establishment, even to the lowest scullion, represented the spirit of the first article of the rules of the house, "Servants are not to execute orders, but anticipate them." M.de Commarin had hardly removed the traces of his journey, and changed his dress, when his butler announced that the dinner was served.
He went down at once; and father and son met upon the threshold of the dining-room.