26 STORIES FROM DAUDET

bordered by vases of flowers. On the
other side, the private side of the house,
the lime-trees open into bright glades ;
the piece of water where swans are
swimming spreads out like a mirror,
and under the pagoda roof of an
immense aviary, uttering sharp cries
among the foliage, peacocks and golden
pheasants flap their wings and spread
their tails. Though the masters of
this house are departed, there is no
neglect, no sign of the abandonment
and utter disorder of war time. Under
the oriflamme of the head of the army
all has been preserved, even to the
least blossom on thé slopes, and it is
singularly striking to see, so close to
the field of battle, the opulent calm
that comes of perfect order, of
straight-clipped hedges and deep silent
avenues.

The rain, which down .below heaps
such horrid mud on the roads and
makes such deep ruts, is here only a
gracious and aristocratic shower, which