The high, steep roof was of
slate, in several shades, wrought into a quaint, pretty pattern, and
the groups of tall chimneys were symmetrically disposed and handsomely
ornamented. There was a look of gaiety and luxury about this really
beautiful chateau which gave the idea of great prosperity, but not the
slightest approach to vulgar pretension. There was nothing meretricious
or glaring; everything was substantial and in perfect taste, and
an indescribably majestic, dignified air, if we may be allowed the
expression, pervaded the whole establishment, which spoke of ancient
wealth and nobility under all this modern splendour.
Behind the chateau, its gardens and terraces, was a veritable forest of
lofty, venerable trees, forming the magnificent park, which was of great
extent, and for centuries had been the pride of the Bruyeres.
Although our high-minded young hero had never been envious of any one
in his life, he could not altogether suppress the melancholy sigh with
which he remembered that in former years the de Sigognacs had stood
higher than the de Bruyeres in the province, and had taken precedence of
them at court; nor could he help contrasting in his own mind this fresh,
new chateau, replete with every beauty and luxury that a cultivated
taste could devise and plentiful wealth procure, with his own desolate,
dilapidated mansion--the home of owls and rats--which was gradually but
surely crumbling into dust, and a keen pang shot through his heart at
the thought.
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