He fastened his horse to the iron fence, and both passed through the side gate to the avenue, the dogs all the while continuing their uproar. Just as they reached the courtyard, the door opened and Manette Sejournant appeared on the doorstep.
“Good-morning, gentlemen,” said she, in a slow, drawling voice, “is it you who are making all this noise?”
The sight of this tall, burly woman, whose glance betokened both audacity and cunning, increased still more Julien’s embarrassment. He advanced awkwardly, raised his hat and replied, almost as if to excuse himself:
“I beg pardon, Madame—I am the cousin and heir of the late Claude de Buxieres. I have come to install myself in the chateau, and I had sent word of my intention to Monsieur Arbillot, the notary—I am surprised he did not notify you.”
“Ah! it is you, Monsieur Julien de Buxieres!” exclaimed Madame Sejournant, scrutinizing the newcomer with a mingling of curiosity and scornful surprise which completed the young man’s discomfiture. “Monsieur Arbillot was here yesterday—he waited for you all day, and as you did not come, he went away at nightfall.”
“I presume you were in my cousin’s service?” said Julien, amiably, being desirous from the beginning to evince charitable consideration with regard to his relative’s domestic affairs.
“Yes, Monsieur,” replied Manette, with dignified sadness; “I attended poor Monsieur de Buxieres twenty-six years, and can truly say I served him with devotion! But now I am only staying here in charge of the seals—I and my son Claudet. We have decided to leave as soon as the notary does not want us any more.”
“I regret to hear it, Madame,” replied Julien, who was beginning to feel uncomfortable. “There must be other servants around—I should be obliged if you would have our carriage brought into the yard. And then, if you will kindly show us the way, we will go into the house, for I am desirous to feel myself at home—and my driver would not object to some refreshment.”
“I will send the cowboy to open the gate,” replied the housekeeper. “If you will walk this way, gentlemen, I will take you into the only room that can be used just now, on account of the seals on the property.”
Passing in front of them, she directed her steps toward the kitchen, and made way for them to pass into the smoky room, where a small servant was making coffee over a clear charcoal fire. As the travellers entered, the manly form of Claudet Sejournant was outlined against the bright light of the window at his back.