There were few residences of more importance as
betokening greater wealth in the province of Poitou; but it was neither
magnificent nor picturesque. The landlords of the country were not men
of extensive property or expensive habits--they built no costly castles,
and gave no sumptuous banquets; but they lived at home, on their
incomes, and had always something to spare for the poorer of their
neighbours. Farming was their business--the chase their
amusement--loyalty their strongest passion, and the prosperity of their
tenantry their chief ambition.
The chateau of Durbelliere was a large square building, three stories
high, with seven front windows to each of the upper stories, and three
on each side of the large door on the ground floor. Eight stone steps
of great width led up to the front door; but between the top step and
the door there was a square flagged area of considerable space; and on
the right hand, and on the left, two large whitewashed lions reclined
on brick and mortar pedestals. An enormous range of kitchens, offices
and cellars, ran under the whole house; the windows opened into a low
area, or rather trench, which ran along the front and back of the house,
and to which there were no rails or palings of any kind.
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