somebody is enjoying his house in his absence. The pepper, the salt and
the vinegar are there, and I actually see a small bottle of wine on one
of the tables."

"Poor man!" said Julie. "It must have cost him much to go. You don't
know, Mr. John, how we French love our homes and houses."

"Oh, yes, I do, and we in America, since there's no longer any Wild West
in which we can seek romance and change, are settling down into the same
habits."

"Would Mademoiselle and Mr. Scott wish us to serve their dinner here?"
asked Antoine gravely, the duties of his position ever uppermost in his
mind.

"Not now, Antoine," said Julie, "but we will later. I'm glad to see,
though, that you are making the best of it. You show a spirit worthy of
a Picard."

Picard bowed and smiled with gratification. John suggested that they
look upstairs for rooms, and then, after putting them in order, they
could return for dinner. But before ascending the grand stairway, they
lighted several candles which Suzanne had found, and put them at
convenient places. They were not sufficient to illuminate the interior
of the hotel, but they threw a soft glow which John found warm and
pleasing.

Above was the main drawing-room, and a great array of guest chambers,
continued also on the third floor, which was the last. John selected the
best suite, looking over the river, for Julie and also for Suzanne, who,