The Third Miss St Quentin

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At least I am sure that in his place I too should have felt hurt. He ha

to himself; "she would think of s

his surprise, when the raven coolly rem

ree with you. However, never mind about that. We shall be very

gh I should have liked Jeanne to be with me; but still," he went on, reflecting that Jeanne would be extremely disappointed if he did not make the most of his pre

on this side. But if you will attend to what I say, you will get on very we

oon biscuit. Hugh took them, and examined them curiously. They were soft and elastic, what Hugh in his own words would

y things!"

middle of your foot, underneath of course. That's right; now jump out of bed and follow me," and before Hugh knew what he was doing he found himself walkin

" asked Hugh. "I don't need

and they'll be all ready for the next time. Besides, though it mayn't seem so to you, these ste

h the raven had come out. The peacocks, now he was close to them, seemed to him larger than ordinary peacocks, but the brilliant colours of their

ly remember these two things-don't be impatient, and don't take off your w

I call you?

es. Now, I think it is ti

door, came forward solemnly, salutin

window of the tapestry room down below, but from those of the castle at whose door he was standing. He had never before noticed how many windows it had. Jeanne and he had only remarked the door at the top of the steps, but now the light which flowed out from above him was so clear and brilliant that it seemed as if the whole castle must be transparent. Hugh stood in eager expectation of what was to happen n

Hugh felt a little fri

re he had time to think the wish, what he saw before him

ren, often admired in London or Paris, or some great town, the rows of gas lamps lighting up at night miles of some very long street. Fancy those lights infinitely brighter and clearer, and yet softer than any lamps you ever saw, and each one of a different colour, from the richest crimso

the lamps and the pretty way in which the tints were arranged; but after a while he began to find it a little monotonous, especiall

ought Hugh. "I think I'll sit down a little to rest. Not that

d of him, so that when he looked up at them the impression was just the same as when he himself had been running along. The col

I don't come to the end of this passage soon, I'll run back again to

, and in another instant-oh dear!-all the pretty coloured lamps were extinguished, and poor Hugh was left standing all in the dark. Where he was he did not know, what to do he did not know; had he not been eight years old on his last birthday I almost think he would have begun t

up his own courage; "she would have been afraid. But as I'm a boy it doesn't matter.

n the dark, much pleased to find that the farther he got the nearer and clearer sounded the crow, repeated every few seconds. And at last he found himself at the end of the passage-he knew it must be so, for in front of him the way was barred, and quite close to him now apparently, sounded th

Hugh, half in despa

e round knob, and as he touched it, all at once everything about him was lighted up again with the same clear, lovely light coming from the thousa

up, as if awaiting him, the prettiest, queerest, most delicious little carriage that ever was seen. It was open; the cushions with which it was lined were of rose-coloured plush-not velvet, I think; at least if they were velvet, it was of some marvellous kind that couldn't he rubbed the wrong way, that felt exquisitely smooth and soft whichever way you stroked it; the body of the carriage was shaped something like a cockle-shell; you could lie back in it so beautifully without cricking or straining your neck or shoulders in the least; and there was just room for two. One of these two was already comfortably settled-shall I tell you who it was now, or shall I keep it for a tit-bit at the end when I have quite finished about the carriage? Yes, that will be better. For the funniest things about the carriage have to be told yet. Up on the box, in the coachman's place, you understand, holding with an air of the utmost imp

as turned the other way. But the sound of his laughing was too infectious to be resisted-the small figure began to shake all over, and at last coul

ed to hide my face till you had got into the carriage, and then surpr

s if he could not believe his own eyes. And Jeanne did not look surpr

ou here! Why, Dudu told me

You have no idea how far away you are-miles, and miles, and miles, only

been here before, have you? I couldn't quite understand Dudu-he meant, I thin

ain, Hugh felt a

peak to me. What is this place? and how did you

and have fun. Never mind how we came. It's a beautiful country, any way, and did you ever see anything s

ry. But whom do you m

ff asking questions, and let us have fun. Look, there are Grignan and the l

ld have preferred to have some explanation from Je

ey had both nestled down among the de

n I was all alone in the dark in that long passage. As you seem to

to his surprise, did not laugh at him this time. Instead, she look

e of voice, her eyes dancing merrily as if they had never looked grave in their life, "it's not dark now, Chéri, and it's going to be ever so bright.

ul feathery foliage as they passed. They drove through the forest-for the trees that Hugh had so admired were

gh. "I never should have thought he could driv

said Jeanne. "Look before you, Chéri. You see there is

e trees grew thick and close in front, only dividing-melting a

t them with f

ot real tre

beginning to change; that shows we are getting

ll they reached the richest corn-flower shade. Then began another series of lessening shades, which again, passing through a boundary line of gold, rose by indescribable degrees to deep yet brilliant crimson. It would be impossible to name all the variations through which they passed. I use the names of the colours and shades which are familiar to you, children, but the very naming any shade gives an unfair idea of the marvellous delicacy with which one tint melted in

ure. "It is like the lamps, only much prettier. I thin

ey call this the country of pretty colours, Chéri. You see it is the country of so many pretty thin

at?" ask

s wouldn't be so pretty, or our eyes wouldn't see them so well after a while. But see, Chéri, the trees are gr

f water! Do you hear it, Jeanne? There must be a river near here. I wish the moonlight was a little brighter. Now that t

of the feathery trees had disappeared. Houpet pulled up his steeds, the two chickens got down from behind, and stood one on each side of the ca

re to get dow

feel just a very, very little bit frightened. It is such a queer place, and I don't k

you wanted to have some fun, Jeanne, and you seemed to kn

ut let us stand up a minute, Hugh, before we get out of th

by the moonlight, that it was difficult to believe the hot sunshine had ever glared upon it. And here and there, all over this great plain-all over it, at least, as far as the children could see-rose suddenly from the ground innumerable jets o

g them up with a gun, doesn't it?" said

get down. But before she could do so, Houpet gave a shrill,

want, Houpe

e was about, had unharnessed Nibble and Grignan. Then the three arranged themselves in a little procession, and drew up a few steps f

id Hugh; and as he spoke he jumped out

TEPPED THE LITTLE