The Lady de Tilly knew the weakness of her faithful old servitor,
and although she smiled to herself, she would not hurt his feelings
by entering the house before he was ready at his post to receive
her. She continued walking about the lawn conversing with Amelie,
Pierre, and Le Gardeur, until she saw old Felix with his wand and
livery standing at the door, when, taking Pierre's arm, she led the
way into the house.
The folding doors were open, and Felix with his wand walked before
his lady and her companions into the mansion. They entered without
delay, for the day had been warm, and the ladies were weary after
sitting several hours in a canoe, a mode of travelling which admits
of very little change of position in the voyagers.
The interior of the Manor House of Tilly presented the appearance of
an old French chateau. A large hall with antique furniture occupied
the center of the house, used occasionally as a court of justice
when the Seigneur de Tilly exercised his judicial office for the
trial of offenders, which was very rarely, thanks to the good morals
of the people, or held a cour pleniere of his vassals, on affairs of
the seigniory for apportioning the corvees for road-making and
bridge-building, and, not the least important by any means, for the
annual feast to his censitaires on the day of St.
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