"I am, your Majesty, and, strange to say, my heart is intact."
"Wonderful!" she said, "you are an exception."
We had the choice between going to a chasse à tir (without the Emperor), and a drive to Pierrefonds.
I had enough of the chasse à tir last year, and I still see in my dreams those poor birds fluttering in their death-agony. Anything better than that!
I preferred Pierrefonds, with its gargoyles and its hard, carved chairs.
I was glad Monsieur de Niewekerke went with us, for he was more interesting and did not go into so many details as Viollet-le-Duc.
[Illustration: LA SALLE DES PREUX—CHÂTEAU DE PIERREFONDS]
The restoration has progressed very much since the last time we were here, though far from being completed yet. In the huge hall Niewekerke told me the statues about the chimney were portraits of the wives of the preux chevaliers of that time.
I thought the frescos of this hall were very crude in color; but Monsieur de Niewekerke said they were excellent copies of the ancient style of decoration.
The castle is such a magnificent ruin one almost wishes that it was not restored.