"
"Nay, you have the million too, if good wishes count in your favor,
Pierre, you are richer"--the bell in the turret of the chateau began
to ring for dinner, drowning her voice somewhat.
"Thanks to the old bell for cutting short the compliment, Pierre,"
continued she, laughing; "you don't know what you have lost! but in
compensation you shall be my cavalier, and escort me to the dining-
room."
She took the arm of Pierre, and in a merry mood, which brought back
sweet memories of the past, their voices echoed again along the old
corridors of the Manor House as they proceeded to the great dining-
room, where the rest of the company were assembling.
The dinner was rather a stately affair, owing to the determination
of Felix Beaudoin to do especial honor to the return home of the
family. How the company ate, talked, and drank at the hospitable
table need not be recorded here. The good Cure's face, under the
joint influence of good humor and good cheer, was full as a harvest
moon. He rose at last, folded his hands, and slowly repeated
"agimus gratias.
Pages:
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543