"There, madame, that is the manor!" Gabriel announced with evident pride, to which I made suitable return, for despite its humble form, like a substantial farm-house, its great length and the two towers gave to it an appearance which removed it out of the common. Our boat was made fast to a little landing-place, and we disembarked; but, to my surprise, no one appeared to welcome or to question us. Gabriel led the way up to the house through a garden, which must have been a model of neatness in summer-time, but was now stripped and blackened by the early frosts. Though the door of the house stood hospitably open to us, no answer came to our echoing knock. Going round to the back proved equally fruitless, but I espied two women working in a field at a short distance, and, bidding Gabriel await me, I took my way towards them. I found them engaged with spade and fork digging up reddish-looking roots, which they piled in little heaps. "I bring letters to Mme. de Sarennes," I said, addressing the younger woman, who seemed confused, but whose face I could barely see for the great bonnet which covered her head like a cowl, "but I find no one in the house. Can you tell me what to do?" "If madame will return and find a seat in the house, I shall bring some one," she answered, prettily enough, and, dropping her fork, she ran towards the house. "What are those things you are digging up?" I asked the elder woman. "Potatoes, madame." "But do the people eat them?" I inquired, for I knew they were not used in France. "'Only the Bostonnais and cattle,' we used to say, madame, but now the Intendant has ordered them to be planted and eaten by all." "And they will obey?" "'Le miel n'est pas pour les anes,' madame; those who do not, will go hungry," she answered, laughing. I was interested in the news, as well as in the calm philosophy with which the innovation was accepted, and after a few more questions I returned to the front of the house. The room into which the entrance gave--for it was more of a room than a hall--was large and low, with a ceiling painted white, supported by heavy beams; it was carpeted and furnished with much comfort--much more than one would find in a similar house either in Scotland or France. In a short time a young lady entered, her dark olive face well set off by her brown hair, becomingly though simply dressed, with a light girlish figure showing to advantage in her flowered gown. "I am Mlle. de Sarennes, madame, and I regret that you should have been kept waiting." She began gravely enough, but catching some wonderment in my face, she continued, laughing merrily: "Oh, 'tis of no use; I can never masquerade! I am Queen of the Fields, madame, and you surprised me a moment ago, sceptre in hand," whereupon she made me a grand courtesy, nearly sinking to the floor.