The curators had sent the gems of the collection to Paris and sheltered as many of the works of art as possible in the basement. This proceeding caused some ill humour on the part of the German officer in command. As seen in the photograph (_page 28_) straw was spread in the rooms of the museum, on which the Germans slept. At the end of the room Chapu's touching _Jeanne d'Arc_ overlooks the scene of desolation. The Germans were much impressed by the copy of the Duc d'Aumale's tomb in the museum, where he is represented in the uniform of a divisional general. Many gave the military salute when crossing the room. However, this did not prevent the commandant from warning the curators that if his troops were fired on, the castle would be burnt and they themselves shot. Sylvie's House _If the tourist makes this journey on a day when the castle is closed, or if he has not time to visit it, he will at least be able to glance at the charming corner of the park where stands Sylvie's House. He need only take the path of Avilly (it is the road which is on the right of the main entrance) and skirt the park railings. After five minutes' walk he will reach the place from where the view below is taken. He can return to the gates by the same road._ This little shooting lodge, at first called the "Park House," was built in 1604 by the high constable Henri de Montmorency for King Henri IV. Sylvie is the poetical name given by Théophile de Viau to his patroness Marie-Félicie Orsini, who in 1612, at the age of fourteen, married Henri II. of Montmorency, aged sixteen. The poet, Théophile de Viau, persecuted in 1623 for the licentious publication of the _Parnasse Satirique_, was given shelter at Chantilly and lodged in the Park House. Condemned to be burnt alive, he was only executed in effigy through the intervention of the Montmorencys. In his _Odes to the House of Sylvie_, he extolled the grace and goodness of the young duchess: Mes vers promettent à Sylvie Ce bruit charmeur que les neveux Nomment une seconde vie.... The wish expressed by the poet in these lines was fulfilled and the name of Sylvie became attached to the house and park surrounding it. The great Condé rebuilt the house as it is to-day. (The rotunda seen in the photograph, page 29, was added by the Duc d'Aumale.) [Illustration: SYLVIE'S HOUSE AND THE PARK]