milked the cows, they bore the milk through the village in white
buckets, with silver handles, to the milk room, where it was poured
out into pretty, white pans standing on tables of white marble. On
the other side of the road was the house of the chief magistrate of
the village, and close by lived the schoolmaster.

Marie Antoinette had had a care for everything. There were bins to
preserve the new crops in, and before the hay scaffoldings were
ladders leading up to the fragrant hay. "Ah, the world is
beautiful," said Marie Antoinette, surveying her creation with a
cheerful look. "I will enjoy the pleasant hours, and be happy here."

She walked rapidly forward, casting friendly glances up to the
houses to see whether the peasants had not hid them-selves within,
and were waiting for her. But all was still, and not one of the
inhabitants peeped out from a single window. All at once the
stillness was broken by a loud clattering sound. The white wheel of
the mill began to turn, and at the door appeared the corpulent form
of the miller in his white garments, with his smiling, meal powdered
face, and with the white cap upon his head.

The queen uttered an exclamation of delight, and ran with quick
steps toward the mill. But before she could reach it, the door of
the official's house opposite opened, and the mayor, in his black
costume, and with the broad white ribbon around his neck; the
Spanish cane, with a gold knob, in his hand, and wearing his black,
three-cornered hat, issued from the dwelling. He advanced directly
to Marie Antoinette, and resting his hands upon his sides and
assuming a threatening mien, placed himself in front of her.