"
Madame du Gua and Francine were now on the portico; the marquis
offered his hand to Mademoiselle de Verneuil, the group of gentlemen
parted in two lines to allow them to pass, endeavoring, as they did
so, to catch sight of the young lady's features; for Madame du Gua,
who was following behind, excited their curiosity by secret signs.
Mademoiselle de Verneuil saw, with surprise, that a large table was
set in the first hall, for about twenty guests. The dining-room opened
into a vast salon, where the whole party were presently assembled.
These rooms were in keeping with the dilapidated appearance of the
outside of the house. The walnut panels, polished by age, but rough
and coarse in design and badly executed, were loose in their places
and ready to fall. Their dingy color added to the gloom of these
apartments, which were barren of curtains and mirrors; a few venerable
bits of furniture in the last stages of decay alone remained, and
harmonized with the general destruction. Marie noticed maps and plans
stretched out upon long tables, and in the corners of the room a
quantity of weapons and stacked carbines. These things bore witness,
though she did not know it, to an important conference between the
leaders of the Vendeans and those of the Chouans.
The marquis led Mademoiselle de Verneuil to a large and worm-eaten
armchair placed beside the fireplace; Francine followed and stood
behind her mistress, leaning on the back of that ancient bit of
furniture.
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