in a kind of surly, patriarchal state, in the midst of
three sons and a daughter; the former being dissi-
pated and sensual, the latter of a showy person, but
in character, superficial, vain, vindictive, proud.

An intimacy had long existed between the houses
of Montigny and Duchatel, which, in spite of their
different genius, had for generations continued as it
were to shake hands across the island. The latter
family, though equal to the former in wealth and
pedigree, secretly acknowledged it as the superior,
and with a view to an alliance between the two,
Seraphine Duchatel, even when a child, was a fre-
quent visitor at Mainville; her relations hoping that
thereby, she and Claude Montigny might become
inspired with a mutual liking, the prelude to their
desired union.

This union, it was understood, was to be cemented
on the part of Duchatel, by the gift, as her marriage
portion, of a tract of land adjoining the seigniory of
Mainville, and at present the property of Andre
Duchatel; but which, at the nuptials, would be
added to the Montigny manor, as a sort of arriere
fief, and so gratify the craving of the elder Montigny
for territorial aggrandizement. The splendid person
of Claude had long ago caught the slight affections
of Seraphine, who in her visits to Mainville, would
hang upon him, much to his distaste, and persist to
make him her reluctant cavalier, though neither her
blandishments nor his father's wishes could induce
him to return these visits, or appear to reciprocate
her preference. Nor would a closer and wider
acquaintance with the Duchatels have lessened his
reluctance. The eldest son, Samson, was a colossal

[[65]]

p064 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p065w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p066

v?