He went through his daily tasks, which had once been a pleasure to him, with utter disgust and loathing.

His eyes had been suddenly opened, and he now understood a host of things which he had never before even endeavored to comprehend.

He saw now that his proper position was among the nobles, whom he never saw except when they attended Mass at the little chapel in Bevron.

The Count de Mussidan, so haughty and imposing, with his snow-white hair; the aristocratic-looking Marquis de Laurebourg, of whom the peasants stood in the greatest awe, were always courteous and even cordial in their salutations, while the noble dames smiled graciously upon him.

Proud and haughty as they were, they evidently looked upon his father and himself as their equals, in spite of the coarse garments that they wore.