"You have come into our country in what I fear will prove troublous times," observed La Touche, as we were seated at the supper table. "The people are inclined to take the law into their own hands in other places besides Vernon, and are specially ill-disposed towards the _noblesse_, who, they declare, have been living on the fat of the land, while they have been starving. Our friend Monsieur Planterre, after what has occurred, not considering his life safe in the town, has come out here, but thought it wiser not to appear as a guest, lest it should be reported that I have entertained him. My people suppose him to be a lackey, as he acts the part to admiration; and he will take his departure to-morrow morning, without, I hope, being discovered, so that they will all be ready to declare that Monsieur Planterre has not come to the chateau." "Yes, there is a sad time coming for France, from what I hear is taking place in Paris," said Madame La Touche. "The people have already got the upper hand, and the king himself is, I fear, in hourly peril of his life." "Ah! we must not think or talk about such things too much," said La Touche. "My object at present is to make our guest's stay in France pleasant, and not to speak of disagreeable subjects. Sophie will, I am sure, aid me in that object." Sophie smiled, and said that such an occupation would afford her much pleasure. CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. CONCLUSION. As the supper was at a comparatively early hour, we retired to the drawing-room, where the young lady played and sang, with much spirit, several lively airs, which her brother selected. She then chose one for herself of a more plaintive character, which had, as she intended it should have, a strange effect upon me. I listened in raptures, for her voice was sweet and melodious. "I am indeed glad that you understand French so well," she said. "When I heard that an Englishman was coming some day, I thought that we should have had to carry on a conversation by signs, and that would have been very stupid." "I fear that I do not speak it very correctly, but I must try to improve myself," I remarked. "You do make a few mistakes now and then, but I shall be delighted to instruct you, and to correct your errors, if you will allow me to do so." That night, although somewhat tired from the exertions I had gone through in the morning, it was some time before I felt inclined to turn in; and when I did at length go to bed, I remained awake far longer than usual, thinking of the beautiful Sophie, her sweet voice still sounding in my ears. I was awakened next morning by Larry, who accompanied one of the servants to my room. "I did not see you last night, Mr Terence, and I couldn't tell what had become of your honour," he exclaimed. "Faith, I tried to tell the people of the house that I wanted to find you, but not a word of my best French did they understand."