CHAPTERIII
THETAVERN
ThegateofBlangy，builtbyBouret，wasformedoftwowidepilasters，ofprojectingrough-hewnstone;eachsurmountedbyadogsittingon，hishaunchesandholdinganescutcheonbetweenhisforepaws。The，proximityofasmallhousewherethestewardliveddispensedwiththe，necessityforalodge。Betweenthetwopilasters，asumptuousiron，gate，likethosemadeinBuffon’stimefortheJardindesPlantes，openedonashortpavedwaywhichledtothecountryroadformerly，keptinorderbyLesAiguesandtheSoulangesfamilywhichunites，Conches，Cerneux，Blangy，andSoulangestoVille-aux-Fayes，likea，wreath，forthewholeroadislinedwithfloweringhedgesandlittle，housescoveredwithrosesandhoney-suckleandotherclimbingplants。
There，alongaprettywallwhichextendsasfarasaterracefrom，whichthelandofLesAiguesfallsrapidlytothevalleytillitmeets，thatofSoulanges，aretherottenposts，theoldwheel，andtheforked，stakeswhichconstitutedthemanufactoryofthevillagerope-maker。
Soonaftermidday，whileBlondetwasseatinghimselfattableopposite，theAbbeBrossetteandreceivingthetenderexpostulationsofthe，countess，PereFourchonandMouchearrivedatthisestablishment。From，thatvantage-groundPereFourchon，underpretenceofrope-making，couldwatchLesAiguesandseeeveryonewhowentinandout。Nothing，escapedhim，theopeningoftheblinds，tete-a-teteloiterings，orthe，leastlittleincidentsofcountrylife，werespieduponbytheold，fellow，whohadsetupthisbusinesswithinthelastthreeyears，——a，triflingcircumstancewhichneitherthemasters，northeservants，nor，thekeepersofLesAigueshadasyetremarkedupon。