Nature varied only by alterations of cloud and rain and sunshine, was
sustained by the affection existing in the hearts of all,--the more
fruitful, the more beneficent because it emanated from natural causes.



III

THREE BRETON SILHOUETTES

When night had fairly fallen, Gasselin came into the hall and asked
his master respectfully if he had further need of him.

"You can go out, or go to bed, after prayers," replied the baron,
waking up, "unless Madame or my sister--"

The two ladies here made a sign of consent. Gasselin then knelt down,
seeing that his masters rose to kneel upon their chairs; Mariotte also
knelt before her stool. Mademoiselle du Guenic then said the prayer
aloud. After it was over, some one rapped at the door on the lane.
Gasselin went to open it.

"I dare say it is Monsieur le cure; he usually comes first," said
Mariotte.

Every one now recognized the rector's foot on the resounding steps of
the portico. He bowed respectfully to the three occupants of the room,
and addressed them in phrases of that unctuous civility which priests
are accustomed to use. To the rather absent-minded greeting of the
mistress of the house, he replied by an ecclesiastically inquisitive