." And in a few minutes Monsieur Desnoyers was basking in the delightful atmosphere of popularity.
As the iron-willed old gentleman approached his castle he concluded that, although the fatigue of the long walk was making his knees tremble, the trip had been well worth while.

Never had his park appeared to him so extensive and so majestic as in that summer twilight, never so glistening white the swans that were gliding double over the quiet waters, never so imposing the great group of towers whose inverted images were repeated in the glassy green of the moats.

He felt eager to see at once the stables with their herds of animals; then a brief glance showed him that the stalls were comparatively empty.

Mobilization had carried off his best work horses; the driving and riding horses also had disappeared.

Those in charge of the grounds and the various stable boys were also in the army.