"I consent on condition that the cake is a big one," replied the doctor, laughing, "for however large it may be, Frederick and I are sure to make a big hole in it." "You need have no fears on that score. You shall both have plenty of cake. But here comes Frederick; the lesson must be over. I will leave you the pleasure of surprising him." "Oh, mother, how delightful!" exclaimed the lad, when M. Dufour had informed him of his project. "Thank you, thank you, my dear doctor, for having planned this charming journey into fairy-land." * * * * * The doctor was punctual the next day, and he and Madame Bastien and her son started through the forest for the Château de Pont Brillant in all the fresh glory of a superb summer morning. CHAPTER III. The approach to the castle was through a broad avenue nearly half a mile long, bordered by a double row of gigantic elms probably four centuries old. A broad esplanade, ornamented with enormous orange-trees in boxes, and bordered with a massive stone balustrade extended across the entire front of the château, afforded a superb view of the surrounding country, and served as a court of honour for the castle, which was a _chef d'oeuvre_ of the renaissance type of architecture, with big cylindrical cone-roofed towers with highly decorated dormer windows, and tall chimneys that strongly reminded the beholder of the grand yet fairy-like ensemble of the famous Château de Chambord. Frederick and his mother had never seen this imposing structure before except at a distance, and on reaching the middle of the broad esplanade they both paused, struck with admiration as they viewed all these marvellous details and the rich carvings and traceries of stone, the existence of which they had never even suspected before, while the good doctor, as pleased as if the château had belonged to him, rubbed his hands joyfully, as he complacently exclaimed: "Oh, the outside is nothing; just wait until you have entered this enchanted palace." "Oh, mother," cried Frederick, "look at that colonnade at the base of the main tower; how light and airy it is!" "And those balconies," responded his mother, "one would almost think they were made of lace! And the ornamentations on those window-caps, how elaborate yet how delicate they are." "I declare we sha'n't get away from the château before to-morrow if we waste so much time admiring the walls," protested the doctor. "M. Dufour is right. Come, Frederick," said Marie, taking her son's arm. "And those buildings which look like another château connected with the main buildings by circular wings, what are they?" asked the youth, turning to the doctor. "The stables and servants' quarters, my boy." "Stables!" exclaimed Madame Bastien. "Impossible! You must be mistaken, my dear doctor."