Melchior's Dream and Other Tales

d small, with high-pitched roofs and pointed towers, which in good taste or bad, did its best to be everywhere ornamental, from the gorgon heads which frowned from its turret

o one large basin, in which were gold and silver fish. Beyond this were shady walks, which led to a lake on which floated water-lilies and swans. From the top of the topmost flight of steps

e of lovely wives. The late Viscount (for Madame was a widow) had been one of the handsomest of the gay courtiers of his day; and Madame had not been unworthy of him. Even now, though the roses on her cheeks were more entirely artificial than they had been in the days of her youth, she was like some exquisite piece of porcelain. Standing by the embroidery frame was Madame's only child, a boy who, in spite of his youth, was already Monsieur the Viscount. He also was beautiful. His exquisitely-cut mouth had a curl which was the inheritance of scornful generations, but which was redeemed by his soft violet eyes and by an under-lyi

estate, and had come for the key of an old cabinet of which he wished to display the treasures. When tired of this, the

count, carelessly, "and all, as f

d he picked one off the walk, and stepping back, flung it with all his little strength. The ston

nd there was a general search for pebbles, wh

the wall of the first terrace; "but here is a stone that one may call a ston

been startled by such a discovery. But with French people, the dread of toads is ludicrous in its intensity. In France toads are believed to have teeth, to bite, and to spit poison; so my hero and his young guests must be excused for taking flight at once with a cry of dismay. On the next terrace, however, they paused, and seeing no signs of the enemy, crept slowly back again. The little Viscount (be it said) began to feel ashamed of himself, and

rd, and shouting, "Vive la France!" rushed upon the enemy. The sword if small was sharp, and stabbed the poor toad would most undoubtedly have been, but for a sudden check received by the valiant little nob

us?" ("What ar

he terrace with a book, and who now stood holding t

actly in keeping with his present abode. It was not only that he was wanting in the grace and beauty that reigned around him, but that his presence made those very graces and beauties to look small. He seemed to have a gift the reverse of that bestowed upon King Midas-the gold on which his heavy hand was laid seemed to become rubbish. In the presence of the late Viscount, and in that of Madame his widow, you would have felt fully the deep importance of your dress being à la mode, and your complexion à la strawberries and cream (such influences still exist); but let the burly tutor appear upon the scene, and all the magic died at once out of brocaded silks and pearl-coloured stockings, and dress and complexion became subjects almos

e animal," said Monsieur the Viscount, struggling va

id Monsieur the Precept

think. It will bite-it will spit-it will poison: it is like that dragon you

re misled by a vulgar error. Toads do not bite-

n their teeth myself. Claude Mignon, at the lodge, has tw

I will believe. Meanwhile, I must beg of you, Monsieur, to put up your sword. You must not kill this poor animal, wh

nty of gardeners to destroy the insects, and, if needful, we can have more. But the toad shal

if a clap of thunder had sounded in his ear, and approached with low bows. "Take that

did reverence again with Asiatic humility, but at the same tim

ped down, seized the toad in his huge finger and thumb, and strode off in the direction of the potager, followed at a respectful distance by

tor, on his return from the potager. "Birds and butterflies are pr

ry, Monsieur-" began the priest

rverse folly of ignorance; "but if I knew as much as you do, it woul

, particularly if you do not care to inquire. It is enough for you and me if w

to the terrace, and resumed his devotions at the point where they had been interrupted which exercise he continued til

that the Viscountess had prepared a feast of fruit and flowers for them in the great hall. Here, at the head of the table, with Madame at his right hand, his guests around, and the liveried lacqueys waiting his commands, Monsieur the Viscount forgot

and the beautiful gardens; and upon the secure slumbers of beauti