These topics formed a source of fruitful comment, as
conversation on our friends always does. If the sun shone hot and
fierce at noontide in the dog-days, they would enjoy the cool shade
of the arbors with books and conversation; they would ride in the
forest, or embark in their canoes for a row up the bright little
river; there would be dinners and diversions for the day, music and
dancing for the night.
The spirits of the inmates of the Manor House could not help but be
kept up by these expedients, and Amelie flattered herself that she
would quite succeed in dissipating the gloomy thoughts which
occupied the mind of Le Gardeur.
They sat on the stone by the brook-side for an hour, conversing
pleasantly while they watched the speckled trout dart like silver
arrows spotted with blood in the clear pool.
Le Gardeur strove to be gay, and teased Amelie in playfully
criticizing her programme, and, half in earnest, half in jest,
arguing for the superior attractions of the Palace of the Intendant
to those of the Manor House of Tilly.
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