color was blue; and this also had many gradations, from the lower deep
cornflower blue to a delicate azure on the summits, resembling that of
the forget-me-not and hairbell.

The weather proved singularly favorable to those who spent their time in
admiring the lilies, and this now seemed to be almost the only
occupation of the inmates, excepting, of course, sick Chastel,
imprisoned Yoletta, and myself--I being too forlorn to admire anything.
Calm, bright days without a cloud succeeded each other, as if the very
elements held the lilies sacred and ventured not to cast any shadow over
their mystic splendor. Each morning one of the men would go out some
distance from the house and blow on a horn, which could be heard
distinctly two miles away; and presently a number of horses, in couples
and troops, would come galloping in, after which they would remain all
the morning grazing and gamboling about the house. These horses were now
in constant requisition, all the members of the family, male and female,
spending several hours every day in careering over the surrounding
country, seemingly without any particular object. The contagion did not
affect me, however, for, although I had always been a bold rider (in my
own country), and excessively fond of horseback exercise, their fashion
of riding without bridles, and on diminutive straw saddles, seemed to me
neither safe nor pleasant.

One morning after breakfasting, I took my ax, and was proceeding slowly,
immersed in thought, to the forest, when hearing a slight swishing sound
of hoofs on the grass, I turned and beheld the venerable father, mounted
on his charger, and rushing away towards the hills at an insanely
break-neck pace. His long garment was gathered tightly round his spare
form, his feet drawn up and his head bent far forward, while the wind of
his speed divided his beard, which flew out in two long streamers