142 THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 



may not have had the opportunity of 

 travelling much in France, the word 

 "chateau" sounds inconceivably grand, 

 and he would expect to find a magnifi- 

 cent castellated mansion, surrounded by 

 a spacious domain ; but, on the other 

 side of the Channel, the word " chateau" 

 conveys a less dignified meaning. We 

 were, consequently, not disappointed on 

 driving up to a moderately-sized tene- 

 ment of stone, on the banks of the Seine ; 

 but whatever lacked of grandeur was 

 amply made up for in hospitality and 

 kindness. A more friendly reception 

 never welcomed • a guest than we expe- 

 rienced from Monsieur Hubert. 



We were domiciled for three weeks 

 under his roof, and our time was passed 

 most agreeably. He kept open house 

 during our stay, and what with feasting, 

 dancing, drinking, shooting, and other 

 little diversions, we had a very merry 



