CHAPTER II

As his horses galloped along the Loire, M. Levrault Indulged in ambitions dreams of future greatness. We may say, in passing, that his daughter did not take thèse dreams seriously ; she encouraged them in order to make

use of them. In other words, she was her father's accomplice without being his dupe. On arriving at Nantes, M. Levrault learned that his friend Jolibois had left the previous evening, and was awaiting him at La Trélade — for that was the name of his estate. As he drove along the road the following day, he kept looking out for castles in ail directions, and Laure had some difficulty in making him understand that even in Brittany castles are not to be found, like inns, along the roadside. Having arrived at La Trélade, he found Jolibois in full dress at the head of two lines of footmen, who were armed with flaming torches. Preceded by the lawyer, the new master of the house and his daughter entered the dining-room, where a magnificent supper awaited them.

After Jolibois had eaten and drunk as though he would never get such a meal again in his life, ail three went down into the park, where Jolibois had arranged a gorgeous display of fireworks. As they were returning to the castle, they were met by a little groom bearing a bouquet of roses for Laure, and a note for M. Levrault, in which Gaspard de Montflanquin hoped they had had a good journey, and begged the favour of calling on them the next day. Flattered by this distinction, Levrault asked the lawyer for information about Montflanquin, and was told that the viscount was the last of an ancient race, that he had ruined himself in the Legitimist cause, and yet had contrived to win the favour of the new king. " Did you say he was married?" asked M. Levrault. ^' No, he is not married, and never will marry." — " Nonsense," said M. Levrault, " of course he will marry. How old is he?" — " Twenty-eight at the most. He is handsome too, although there are people who think him ugly, but they have no idea what true beauty is." Chatting thus, they entered the house, and the next day at sunrise Jolibois left La Trélade to go back to Nantes.

Passages for Translation into French 237