" Then casting a disturbed glance toward the
chateau, "'Tis a grand place, this," said he; "rich and elegant, and
capitally situated--to whom does it belong, Joseph?"
"My lord baron knows right well that park, gardens, and chateau, belong
to his noble self," said the gardener, leaning on his spade, and raising
his cap.
Durer began to laugh to himself--but it was a piteous laugh--"Belong to
me, my good boy!" said he; "not yet--not yet--and yet it seems to me as
if I had owned--as if I had owned"--and he passed his hand over his
forehead, as if he could call back some recollection which had drifted
away out of his reach--murmuring, after a pause, "Is it to be this
shepherd's hovel--for ever?--for ever?--for ever?" He fell on a turf
seat, sobbing bitterly; then raising his head, he saw his two fair little
children, who were at play in one of the alleys of the park.
"What lovely children!" sighed he; "ah!--he must, at least, be happy,
whoever he be, that is father to such a pair of angels!"
The children came and flung themselves, laughing, into the Minister's
arms, and hung about him with all manner of tender caresses.
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