The presence
of their daughter brought Chichi to his mind. He had passed near her
without noting the transformation in her, seeing her just the same
as when, with her little dog trot, she had accompanied the Master's
daughter on her rounds through the parks and grounds. Now she was a
woman, slender and full grown, with the first feminine graces showing
subtly in her fourteen-year-old figure. Her mother would not let her
leave the lodge, fearing the soldiery which was invading every other
spot with its overflowing current, filtering into all open places,
breaking every obstacle which impeded their course.
Desnoyers broke his despairing silence to admit that he was feeling
hungry. He was ashamed of this bodily want, but the emotions of the day,
the executions seen so near, the danger still threatening, had awakened
in him a nervous appetite. The fact that he was so impotent in the midst
of his riches and unable to avail himself of anything on his estate but
aggravated his necessity.
"Poor Master!" again exclaimed the faithful soul.
And the woman looked with astonishment at the millionaire devouring a
bit of bread and a triangle of cheese, the only food that she could find
in her humble dwelling. The certainty that he would not be able to find
any other nourishment, no matter how much he might seek it, greatly
sharpened his cravings.
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