_By way of the small but charmingly planned park, we arrive at the abbey buildings proper_ (_see p. 233_), which form the habitation of the proprietor. They are formed of two wings, built in the eighteenth century, and united by a charming arched gallery covered with climbing plants. These buildings were much more extensive before the Revolution, and several hundred monks devoted themselves in the calm of this remote forest-valley to a life of contemplation, interrupted only by rural tasks. A river traverses the abbey from one end to the other, but the monks made important works in order to render it subterranean for a portion of its length. Thus it passes under the buildings and crosses the centre of the park, flowing through underground arches, so solidly constructed that the passage of centuries has left no apparent weakness. [Illustration: EXTERIOR OF THE CHURCH] [Illustration: RUINS OF THE CHURCH] At the end of the park, the river comes again to the surface in order to form part of a skilfully arranged decorative scheme in which water, trees, and lawns combine to make a harmonious whole. After this short inroad into the far past, _the tourist takes once more the road to =Cheminon= (55 km.). In this village, pass under the market again, then turn to the right into the road_ (visible in the photograph at the foot of p. 230) _opposite the inn_. _Cross the river Bruxenelle, then, on reaching the fork, turn to the left towards Sermaize._ The way lies through woods into which part of the extreme right of the Second Corps retreated after abandoning Sermaize. The pursuing Germans began to creep towards Cheminon and Maurupt, and, as we have seen, succeeded in reaching the latter village, but Cheminon did not fall into their hands. [Illustration: OLD ABBEY BUILDINGS] [Illustration: RUINS OF SERMAIZE] _Affording a fine view of the Valley of the Saulx, the road enters =Sermaize= (61 km.)._ The town was occupied on September 6 by the Fourth Division of the Sixth Corps. Violently attacked on the north and east, and threatened with being cut off from the rest of the French line by the German advance from the west, Sermaize, already set on fire by shells, was evacuated on the 7th by the French troops, who retired towards Maurupt and Cheminon. The Germans entered the little town and completed the work of the shells, but first they pillaged the houses. It was proved to the Enquiry Commission that "German Red-Cross nurses came with carts, in which they piled up the goods which the soldiers passed to them from the drapery and millinery establishment of M. Mathieu, a merchant serving with the colours." 505 houses were completely destroyed; only forty-four remained standing.