252 A JACOBITE EXILE

The countess’s first question had been for her child, and
with an exclamation of thankfulness when she heard that it
was better, she had at once hurried into the house. As
soon as they had entered the count left Charlie in charge
of his brother, and also hurried away. He was not long
before he returned.

“The child is doing well,” he said, “and now that it has
got its mother again, it will, I think, improve rapidly.
The doctor said this morning that he considered it out of
danger, but that it needed its mother sorely to cheer and
pet it.”

In a very short time the tables were laid. The count,
his brother, and Charlie sat at an upper table, and the hall
was filled with the various officers and retainers. The
count’s arrival was expected, for a horseman had been sent
forward on their arrival at the inn the evening before.
The dinner had therefore been cooked in readiness, and
Charlie was astonished at the profusion with which it was
served. Fish, joints, great pies, and game of many kinds,
were placed on the table in unlimited quantities, the drink
being a species of beer, although excellent wine was served
at the high table. He could now understand how often
the Polish nobles impoverished themselves by their un-
bounded hospitality and love of display.

“T suppose for to-morrow you will like to remain quiet,”
the count said, ‘‘but after that we will try to amuse you.
There is game of all sorts to be shot, or if you have had
enough sport lately there will be a sledge and horses at
your disposal whenever you choose to ride or drive, and in
a few days we will give an entertainment in honour at
once of our return, your visit, and the child’s restoration
to health. ‘Then you will have an opportunity of seeing
our national dances.”

Charlie had had enough shooting, but he greatly enjoyed
the drives in the sledges behind the spirited horses. The