hem as their tasks, and to be quite as uninteresting. It did
not seem as if they ever played, or thought of playing; and if they were
ever to be gay, witty Frenchmen, a wonderful change must come over them.

The elder was already betrothed to a Bearnese damsel, of an
unimpeachably ancient and Calvinistic family; and the whole
establishment had for the last three years been employed on tapestry
hangings for a whole suite of rooms, that were to be fitted up and
hung with the histories of Ruth, of Abigail, of the Shunammite, and of
Esther, which their diligent needles might hope to complete by the time
the marriage should take place, three years later! The Duchess,
who really was not unlike 'that great woman' the Shunammite, in her
dignified content with 'dwelling among her own people,' and her desire
to 'receive a prophet in the name of a prophet,' generally sat presiding
over the work while some one, chaplain, grandson, or young maiden, read
aloud from carefully assorted books; religious treatises at certain
hours, and at others, history. Often, however, Madame was called away
into her cabinet, where she gave audience to intendants, notaries from
her estates, pastors from the villages, captains of little garrisons,
soldiers offering service, farmers, women, shepherds, foresters,
peasants, who came either on her business or with their own needs--for
all of which she was ready with the beneficence and decision of an
autocrat.

The chapel had been 'purified,' and made bare of all altar or image. It
was filled with benches and a desk, whence Isaac Gardon, the chaplain,
any pastor on a visit, or sometimes a candidate for his promotion,
would expound, and offer prayers, shortly in the week, more at length
on Sunday; and there, too, classes were held for the instruction of the
peasants.

There was a great garden full of medicinal plants, and decoctions and
distilleries were the chief variety enjoyed by the gentlewomen. The
Duchess had studied much in quaint Latin and French medical books, and,
having great experience and good sense, was probably as good a doctor
as any one in the kingdom except Ambroise Pare and his pupils; and she
required her ladies to practise under her upon the numerous ailments
that the peasants were continually bringing for her treatment. 'No one
could tell,' she said, 'how soon they might be dealing with gun-shot
wounds, and all ought to know how to sew up a gash, or cure an argue.'

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