while the countess enquired for refreshment, the count, attended by his son, went to look over some part of the chateau, and lady blanche reluctantly remained to witness the discontent and ill-humour of her step-mother.
'how long have you lived in this desolate place?' said her ladyship, to the old house keeper, who came to pay her duty.
'above twenty years, your ladyship, on the next feast of st.jerome.'
'how happened it, that you have lived here so long, and almost alone, too? i understood, that the chateau had been shut up for some years?'
'yes, madam, it was for many years after my late lord, the count, went to the wars; but it is above twenty years, since i and my husband came into his service.the place is so large, and has of late been so lonely, that we were lost in it, and, after some time, we went to live in a cottage at the end of the woods, near some of the tenants, and came to look after the chateau, every now and then.
when my lord returned to france from the wars, he took a dislike to the place, and never came to live here again, and so he was satisfied with our remaining at the cottage.alas--alas! how the chateau is changed from what it once was! what delight my late lady used to take in it! i well remember when she came here a bride, and how fine it was.now, it has been neglected so long, and is gone into such decay! i shall never see those days again!'
the countess appearing to be somewhat offended by the thoughtless simplicity, with which the old woman regretted former times, dorothee added--'but the chateau will now be inhabited, and cheerful again;not all the world could tempt me to live in it alone.'