These indiscretions which you belittle appear to have been enough to have estranged him from his father, a circumstance which but served the more to endear him to his mother.

I am told that she is a very handsome woman, and that the boy favours her surprisingly." "Ah!" sighed the Seneschal in a rapture.

"A beautiful woman--a noble, splendid woman.' "Hum!" Garnache observed the ecstatic simper with a grim eye.

Then he proceeded with his story.
"The late marquis possessed in his neighbour, the also deceased Monsieur de La Vauvraye, a very dear and valued friend.

Monsieur de La Vauvraye had an only child, a daughter, to inherit his very considerable estates probably the wealthiest in all Dauphiny, so I am informed.