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As we sallied forth, every dog in the establishment turned out to attend us. There was the old stag-hound Maida, a noble animal, and a great favorite of Scott's; and Hamlet, the black greyhound, a wild thoughtless youngster, not yet arrived to the years of discretion; and Finette, a beautiful setter, with soft silken hair, long pendent ears, and a mild eye, the parlor favorite.
"Yes, my charmer," answered the happy bailiff; "I am just shutting the door." "Abracadabra!" cried Finette. "May you hold the door, villain, and may the door hold you till daybreak." And behold! the door opened and shut, and slammed against the walls like an eagle flapping its wings. You may judge what a dance the poor captive kept up all night.
A tall woman, with bold black eyes, a reckless manner, and a step as firm as a man's, stalked into the room with the gait of a tragedy-queen crossing the stage. The instant her eyes fell on the French forewoman, she stopped, threw up her hands in astonishment, and exclaimed, "Finette!" "Teresa!" cried the Frenchwoman, casting her scissors on the table, and advancing a few steps.
"Oh!" cried Finette, laying down the distaff, "there are the firebrands falling all over the room." "Don't trouble yourself," said the steward; "I will pick them up." "Lay them carefully on the top of the ashes," returned Finette. "Have you the tongs?" "Yes," said the steward, picking up the crackling coals. "Abracadabra!" cried Finette, rising.
Maida, the old stag-hound, took his seat at Scott's elbow, looking up wistfully in his master's eye, while Finette, the pet spaniel, placed herself near Mrs. Scott, by whom, I soon perceived, she was completely spoiled.
It was a wretched hovel, dark, low, damp, bad-smelling, and full of dust and spiders' webs a horrible refuge for a woman accustomed to living in the giant's grand castle. Without seeming troubled, Finette went to the hearth, on which a few green boughs were smoking, took another golden bullet from her purse, and threw it into the fire, saying,
He did as Finette had bid him; he turned the fork and swept with the handle, when, behold! in the twinkling of an eye the stable was as clean as if no cattle had ever entered it. The task finished, Yvon seated himself on a bench before the door of the house. As soon as he saw the giant coming he lolled back in his seat, crossed his legs, and began to sing one of his native airs.
"It is not so easy as you think," replied Finette; "but I will tell you what to do. Take the bit that hangs behind the stable door, and, when the animal rushes toward you breathing fire and smoke from his nostrils, force it straight between his teeth; he will instantly become as gentle as a lamb, and you can do what you please with him."
I do you the honor to marry you, and to take yourself, your person, and your property under my guardianship." "My lord," returned Finette, "this is much too great an honor for a poor girl like me, a stranger, without friends or kindred." "Be silent, vassal!" replied the seneschal. "I am your lord and master; I have nothing to do with your advice. Sign this paper."
Spite of the fact that the sun's rays did not penetrate to the spot which he occupied, the white handkerchief was still used as a shade. Mowbray entered and approached Madam Finette.
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