THE GAME OF BILLIARDS 27

revives the ruddy glow of the brickwork
and the verdure of the turf, burnishing
the leaves of the orange-trees and the
snowy plumage of the swans. ll is
bright and peaceful. Indeed, but for
the flag which floats from the finial of
the roof, but for the two soldiers
standing sentry at the gate, it could
never be believed one was at military
headquarters. The horses rest in the
stables. Here and there may be seen
a groom or two, orderlies in undress
lounging about the kitchen department,
or a gardener in red breeches quietly
raking the gravel in the wide court-
yard,

In the dining-hall, the windows of
which overlook the entrance steps, is a
half-cleared dinner-table, with uncorked
bottles, soiled and empty glasses, stains
on the rumpled cloth: all the signs of
a finished meal just left by the guests.
In the next room can be heard the
sound of voices, peals of laughter, the
rolling of balls and clinking of glasses.