There was nobody in the castle now but the head of a Reserve brigade whom his aide called "The Count," and a few officials.
Upon receiving this information, the proprietor ventured to leave the lodge.

He saw his gardens destroyed, but still beautiful.

The trees were still stately in spite of the damage done to their trunks.

The birds were flying about excitedly, rejoicing to find themselves again in possession of the spaces so recently flooded by the human inundation.
Suddenly Desnoyers regretted having sallied forth.

Five huge trucks were lined up near the moat before the castle bridge.