Some of the peasants he had noticed as he passed before, were still standing at their doors.  Stopping before one of them he asked: 

“My friend, to whom does that large house below there, facing the other road, belong? and whence comes that music?”

“You probably know that as well as I,” replied the man, stolidly.

“Had I known, I should hardly have asked you,” said Camors.

The peasant did not deign further reply.  His wife stood near him; and Camors had remarked that in all classes of society women have more wit and goodhumor than their husbands.  Therefore he turned to her and said: 

“You see, my good woman, I am a stranger here.  To whom does that house belong?  Probably to Monsieur des Rameures?”

“No, no,” replied the woman, “Monsieur des Rameures lives much farther on.”

“Ah!  Then who lives here?”

“Why, Monsieur de Tecle, of course!”

“Ah, Monsieur de Tecle!  But tell me, he does not live alone?  There is a lady who sings—­his wife?—­his sister?  Who is she?”

“Ah, that is his daughter-in-law, Madame de Tecle Madame Elise, who—­”

“Ah! thank you, thank you, my good woman!  You have children?  Buy them sabots with this,” and drop ping a gold piece in the lap of the obliging peasant, Camors walked rapidly away.  Returning home the road seemed less gloomy and far shorter than when he came.  As he strode on, humming the Bach prelude, the moon rose, the country looked more beautiful, and, in short, when he perceived, at the end of its gloomy avenue, his chateau bathed in the white light, he found the spectacle rather enjoyable than otherwise.  And when he had once more ensconced himself in the maternal domicile, and inhaled the odor of damp paper and mouldy trees that constituted its atmosphere, he found great consolation in the reflection that there existed not very far away from him a young woman who possessed a charming face, a delicious voice, and a pretty name.

Next morning, after plunging into a cold bath, to the profound astonishment of the old steward and his wife, the Comte de Camors went to inspect his farms.  He found the buildings very similar in construction to the dams of beavers, though far less comfortable; but he was amazed to hear his farmers arguing, in their patois, on the various modes of culture and crops, like men who were no strangers to all modern improvements in agriculture.  The name of Des Rameures frequently occurred in the conversation as confirmation of their own theories, or experiments.  M. des Rameures gave preference to this manure, to this machine for winnowing; this breed of animals was introduced by him.  M. des Rameures did this, M. des Rameures did that, and the farmers did like him, and found it to their advantage.  Camors found the General had not exaggerated the local importance of this personage, and that it was most essential to conciliate him.  Resolving therefore to call on him during the day, he went to breakfast.