80 THE FLOWERS

than the reality of freshness. On each side of
the lawn, yet answering exactly to each other,
a statue, a bosquet, an arbour, and an archway
of trelliswork opening into certain gardens
beyond, alternated with each other, according
to the formal taste then prevalent in my
country. The lawn was set forth with several
long tables, covered with fruit, cakes, cream,
and other refreshments ; whilst on an elevated
scaffolding near the centre of the open space
was a band of musicians, who, from time to
time, gave us a national air, whilst waiting the
commencement of the dancing, which was to
take place towards the end of the evening.
The company for whom this féte was prepared,
were, without exception, every inhabitant of
the village who was able either to walk or be
carried to the chateau, together with some
superior persons from the neighbourhood, who
had come by special invitation. These, the
superiors of the party, were, with the Baronne,
grouped at the upper end of the lawn, sitting,
standing, or moving about, as it suited them ;
the inferior persons being at the lower end, or
in the centre, according to their stations in
society, but all seemed equally gay and happy ;
I suw not a solemn countenance as I made my