The dinner lasted fully two hours, and brought Malvine in many a
fiery compliment, especially from the chamberlain, which she could
accept with a good conscience, knowing well how much she would have
to pay to the great Hamburg pastry-cook who had provided it. At
dessert the heir was handed round. Willy, who was really beginning
to grow a little, was unquestionably a well-bred child. He went with
much dignity and propriety from guest to guest, closely followed by
Fido, who had grown far too stout, offered his cheek politely to
each one, shook hands prettily, and was permitted to withdraw,
accompanied by his short-winded dog, after they had all sufficiently
admired him.
After dinner the guests amused themselves according to their several
tastes. Some went to enjoy Paul's excellent cigars in the smoking
room, others went down to the village to look on at the rural
festival arranged by the master for his people, and where, between
singing, music, dancing, and drinking, the fun ran high; others
again took a walk through the fields of the estate where the young
crops were just coming up, spreading a green haze over the yellow
coating of sand. It was altogether a radiant picture of joy and
prosperity; and the happiest of all, whether of the guests flushed
with the good dinner or the villagers stamping on the green, seemed
to be the master of the house.
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