"
Lady de Tilly took the arm of Colonel Philibert, followed by Le
Gardeur, La Corne, and Amelie, and, marshalled by the majordomo,
proceeded to the dining-room--a large room, wainscotted with black
walnut, a fine wood lately introduced. The ceiling was coved, and
surrounded by a rich frieze of carving. A large table, suggestive
of hospitality, was covered with drapery of the snowiest linen, the
product of the spinning-wheels and busy looms of the women of the
Seigniory of Tilly. Vases of china, filled with freshly-gathered
flowers, shed sweet perfumes, while they delighted the eye with
their beauty, etherializing the elements of bread and meat by
suggestions of the poetry and ideals of life. A grand old buffet, a
prodigy of cabinet-maker's art, displayed a mass of family plate,
and a silver shield embossed with the arms of Tilly, a gift of Henry
of Navarre to their ancient and loyal house, hung upon the wall over
the buffet.
In spite of the Trifourchettes and the Doubledents, Felix Baudoin
had managed to set an excellent dinner upon the table of his lady,
who looked archly at the Chevalier La Corne, as if assenting to his
remark on her old servitor.
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