to tear the old
portions of the manor down, but, using the first foundations, put up a
house half castle and half manor. Pictures of the old manor were found,
and so we have a place that is no patchwork, but a renewal. I made my
father give me the old surviving part of the building for my own, and so
it is.

It is all set on high ground abutting on the water almost at the
point where I am, and I have the river in my sight all day. Now, think
yourself in the new building. You come out of a dining-hall, hung all
about with horns and weapons and shields and such bravery, go through
a dark, narrow passage, and then down a step or two. You open a door,
bright light breaks on your eyes, then two steps lower, and you are
here with me. You might have gone outside the dining-hall upon a stone
terrace, and so have come along to the deep window where I sit so often.
You may think of me hiding in the curtains, watching you, though
you knew it not till you touched the window and I came out quietly,
startling you, so that your heart would beat beyond counting.

As I look up towards the window, the thing first in sight is the cage,
with the little bird which came to me in the cathedral the morning my
brother got lease of life again: you DO remember--is it not so? It never
goes from my room, and though I have come here but for a week I muffled
the cage well and brought it over; and there the bird swings and sings
the long day through. I have heaped the window-seats with soft furs, and
one of these I prize most rarely. It was a gift--and whose, think you?
Even a poor soldier's. You see I have not all friends among the great
folk. I often lie upon that soft robe of sable--ay, sable, Master
Robert--and think of him who gave it to me. Now I know you are jealous,
and I can see your eyes flash up. But you shall at once be soothed. It
is no other than Gabord's gift. He is now of the Governor's body-guard,
and I think is by no means happy, and would prefer service with the
Marquis de Montcalm, who goes not comfortably with the Intendant and the
Governor.

One day Gabord came to our house on the ramparts, and, asking for me,
blundered out, "Aho, what shall a soldier do with sables? They are for
gentles and for wrens to snuggle in. Here comes a Russian count oversea,
and goes mad in tavern. Here comes Gabord, and saves count from ruddy
crest for kissing the wrong wench. Then count falls on Gabord's neck,
and kisses both his ears, and gives h