In the rear were some stables, a coach-house, and various mossy, picturesque outbuildings, which painters and gardeners would now soon embellish for the gay pleasure parties which the fine weather would bring.
"I really think that they haven't opened for the season yet," said Guillaume as he entered the silent house.
"At all events they will let us stay here till the rain stops," answered Pierre, seating himself at one of the little tables.
However, a waiter suddenly made his appearance seemingly in a great hurry.

He had come down from the first floor, and eagerly rummaged a cupboard for a few dry biscuits, which he laid upon a plate.

At last he condescended to serve the brothers two glasses of Chartreuse.
In one of the private rooms upstairs Baroness Duvillard, who had driven to the chalet in a cab, had been awaiting her lover Gerard for nearly half an hour.

It was there that, during the charity bazaar, they had given each other an appointment.

For them the chalet had precious memories: two years previously, on discovering that secluded nest, which was so deserted in the early, hesitating days of chilly spring, they had met there under circumstances which they could not forget.