and was set in a preserve of ten thousand acres, he was prepared for
Adirondack "camps" which had cost half a million and Newport
"cottages" which had cost a million or two.

Liveried servants took the car, and others opened the door and took
their coats. The first thing they saw was a huge, fireplace, a
fireplace a dozen feet across, made of great boulders, and with
whole sections of a pine tree blazing in it. Underfoot was polished
hardwood, with skins of bear and buffalo. The firelight flickered
upon shields and battle-axes and broad-swords, hung upon the oaken
pillars; while between them were tapestries, picturing the Song of
Roland and the battle of Roncesvalles. One followed the pillars of
the great hall to the vaulted roof, whose glass was glowing
blood-red in the western light. A broad stairway ascended to the
second floor, which opened upon galleries about the hall.

Montague went to the fire, and stood rubbing his hands before the
grateful blaze. "Scotch or Irish, sir?" inquired a lackey, hovering
at his side. He had scarcely given his order when the door opened
and a second motor load of the party appeared, shivering and rushing
for the fire. In a couple of minutes they were all assembled--and
roaring with laughter over "Baby" de Millc's account of how her car
had run over a dachshund. "Oh, do you know," she cried, "he simply
POPPED!"

Half a dozen attendants hovered about, and soon the tables in the
hall were covered with trays containing decanters and siphons. By
this means everybody in the party was soon warmed up, and then in
groups they scattered to amuse themselves.