Faugh! The place reeks of leather.

Now, a clean hearth.

And set the table before the open door, so that we may see the garden--so.

And tell the cook that we dine at eleven, and that Madame and Mademoiselle will descend.' 'Ohe! But M.le Capitaine ordered the dinner for half-past eleven.' 'It must be advanced, then; and, mark you, my friend, if it is not ready when Madame comes down, you will suffer, and the cook too.' When he was gone on his errand, I looked round.

What else was lacking?
The sun shone cheerily on the polished floor; the air, freshened by the rain which had fallen in the night, entered freely through the open doorway.