A few tall pine-trees standing behind the house
waved their dark foliage above the roof, and several yews cut into
formal shapes at the angles of the building, festooned it gloomily
like the ornaments on a hearse. The style of the doors, the coarseness
of the decorations, the want of harmony in the architecture, were all
characteristic of the feudal manors of which Brittany was proud;
perhaps justly proud, for they maintained upon that Gaelic ground a
species of monumental history of the nebulous period which preceded
the establishment of the French monarchy.
Mademoiselle de Verneuil, to whose imagination the word "chateau"
brought none but its conventional ideas, was affected by the funereal
aspect of the scene. She sprang from the carriage and stood apart
gazing at in terror, and debating within herself what action she ought
to take. Francine heard Madame du Gua give a sigh of relief as she
felt herself in safety beyond reach of the Blues; an exclamation
escaped her when the gates were closed, and she saw the carriage and
its occupants within the walls of this natural fortress.
The Marquis de Montauran turned hastily to Mademoiselle de Verneuil,
divining the thoughts that crowded in her mind.
"This chateau," he said, rather sadly, "was ruined by the war, just as
my plans for our happiness have been ruined by you.
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