Violet was greatly pleased; the children were wild with delight; every thing was so dainty and fresh, there was such an air of elegance and refinement about the appointments of each room, that all were charmed with the effect.
They were hardly yet satisfied with gazing and commenting, when the summons to dinner came.
They trooped down to the dining-room, the captain and Violet leading the way, and seated themselves at the table.
Here, too, all was new and handsome; the napery, china, glass and silver ware, such as would not have suffered by comparison with what they had been accustomed to at Ion and Viamede.
Lulu was beginning to express that opinion, when her father silenced her by a gesture.
All quieted down at once, while he reverently gave thanks for their food, and asked God's blessing upon it.
"May I talk now, papa?" she asked, a moment after he had finished.
"Yes, if you have any thing to say worth our hearing."
"I'm not sure about that," she said; "but I wanted to tell you how beautiful I think the china and glass and silver are."
"Ah!" he said, smiling, "I am glad they meet your approval."