The woman rejoiced in a fine figure, of somewhat large proportions, as was evident when she unwound her wraps. Her complexion was dusky, her hair and eyes coal black. Her mouth large, with full, red lips, which contrasted well with the square white teeth behind. The thick, straight eyebrows were endowed with a strange mobility which hinted at habits of command curiously at variance with the position of the new-comer. Her manner, however, towards the marquise was a miracle of deportment. Submissive respect was deftly mingled with a tinge of independent nonchalance, glossed over with an unconcealed admiration, flattering to the beauty of the chatelaine. "An oddity," thought Gabrielle, unconsciously relieved to perceive that the large lady was uncomely. "An ugly, insolent monster," was the uncompromising verdict of fierce Toinon, who had scanned her from the top of the stairs. Her noisy delight over the prodigies who had been kept up to make acquaintance with their governess quite won the mother's heart. The tall figure went down on its knees with a prodigious thump, and twined them in its bare dark arms with a shower of kisses. "The darlings--the cherubs--the pets," growled the strong voice, like a muffled drum. "They will soon love their Aglae, will they not? I knew that the offspring of a father like the good marquis and of so divinely lovely a mother, must be angels--and they are--they are;" another shower of kisses. "Madame la Marquise must forgive my brusquerie, for I do so dote on children." Here was an excellent beginning. The mother was gratified--the father looked on the picturesque group with a broad smile of self-complacency. It was evident for once that he had been extremely clever. Mademoiselle's manners being peculiar, he had had misgivings as to this first interview, but nothing could have gone better. The lady was a marvel of intelligence! Of course she was--a favourite pupil of Mesmer's, who knew his secrets, was mistress of his system. From this day a new era was to dawn on gloomy Lorge. The new-comer was an undoubted acquisition--just what was required to crown the family edifice. All would go merrily now as marriage bells.