Manof Chpt19

Chapter 19

Early the next morning Constantin joined Bruce and Marie-Claude for breakfast.

"We want you to join our little celebration. A few friends are coming here for a masked dinner party on Saturday night. It has been some time since we entertained. It used to be a yearly event here but we are reviving the celebration because it is exactly 160 years since the villagers from a nearby town plotted to destroy the chateau.

"The good people of Hautefort, although very poor, caste all their bronze and copper implements and made weapons to ward off the criminal militia. They were successful and we are mounting the celebration to commemorate the hundred and fiftieth anniversary of that time.

When one of our ancestors, Baron Maxence de Damas was owner of the chateau he wanted to cement relations with the local villagers. Each year he would organize a party and invite all the inhabitants and make them wonderful presents. We want this ball to inaugurate the rebirth of Hautefort since the war. We will do it every other year. The town has grown and there are so many people, the cost can be high. But without the villagers, Hautefort would have been lost. We will call the ball Soiree De Masques.

"We selected that name because of our ancestor's name that the removal of our mask at midnight can be construed as the de-masking of the attendees."

"Sounds delightful. I'll just have to postpone my trip until next week."

Marie Claude smiled.

"A good decision. I still think Carlos is too honest and you may be wasting your time."

"Well, at least I'll see Barcelona. Would either of you care to come with me?"

Conn shook his head. Maria replied.

"No. Go alone, but let me recommend a hotel and a few good restaurants. There is also some amazing architecture in Barcelona. It's a beautiful city, despite the political atmosphere. Besides, you know what they say about 'all work and no play'?"

Bruce was pleased.

"Then it's decided. Saturday we celebrate and I'll leave, let's say…Tuesday."

(Click here for the next chapter)


	Chapter 19 Early the next morning Constantin joined Bruce and Marie-Claude for breakfast. "We want you to join our little celebration. A few friends are coming here for a masked dinner party on Saturday night. It has been some time since we entertained. It used to be a yearly event here but we are reviving the celebration because it is exactly 160 years since the villagers from a nearby town plotted to destroy the chateau. "The good people of Hautefort, although very poor, caste all their bronze and copper implements and made weapons to ward off the criminal militia. They were successful and we are mounting the celebration to commemorate the hundred and fiftieth anniversary of that time. When one of our ancestors, Baron Maxence de Damas was owner of the chateau he wanted to cement relations with the local villagers. Each year he would organize a party and invite all the inhabitants and make them wonderful presents. We want this ball to inaugurate the rebirth of Hautefort since the war. We will do it every other year. The town has grown and there are so many people, the cost can be high. But without the villagers, Hautefort would have been lost. We will call the ball Soiree De Masques. "We selected that name because of our ancestor's name that the removal of our mask at midnight can be construed as the de-masking of the attendees." "Sounds delightful. I'll just have to postpone my trip until next week." Marie Claude smiled. "A good decision. I still think Carlos is too honest and you may be wasting your time." "Well, at least I'll see Barcelona. Would either of you care to come with me?" Conn shook his head. Maria replied. "No. Go alone, but let me recommend a hotel and a few good restaurants. There is also some amazing architecture in Barcelona. It's a beautiful city, despite the political atmosphere. Besides, you know what they say about 'all work and no play'?" Bruce was pleased. "Then it's decided. Saturday we celebrate and I'll leave, let's say…Tuesday." (Click here for the next chapter)