Manof Chpt20

Chapter 20

(It was the night of the masked ball at the chateau)

At precisely nine p.m., a quartet of trumpeters blew a fanfare over the village of Hautefort from the chateau ramparts. At that precise moment, floodlights illuminated the entrance, the courtyard and the gardens.

Flags wafted in the breeze as horse drawn carriages made their way slowly up the roadway, over the moat and into the ancient courtyard. People wore their Sunday best as pageboys dressed in blue and white littered the stairs with rose petals.

Although the chateau was the reason for everyone's existence, many people were entering through the carved wood doors for the first time. The air stirred with anticipation and with excitement. No less than eighty carriages paraded up to the door with four people in each carriage. A staff of sixty people and an orchestra waited for everyone to arrive.

Marie Claude and Constantin Make Their Entrance

Then, at a prescribed moment a fanfare was repeated and Marie Claude and Constantin made their entrance from atop the gigantic staircase. A town crier announced: "Mesdames et Monsieurs…
Je vous présente Le comte et La comtesse Constantin et Marie-Claude d'Autefort…"

The applause filled the air. The ball had officially begun.

There were round tables for those who wanted to sit in the courtyard. People gathered at the long buffet tables in the ballroom for the sampling of local delicacies of every kind. In the background, a quartet played classical music during the dinner and mostly waltz music afterwards.

(The masks inhibited people from meeting each other)

For the most part people mingled, but the masks inhibited people from meeting each other. Yet there was a great deal of chatter and laughing.

Marcel recognized Bruce by his clothes and demeanor. He specifically tended to his needs and since Bruce's French was limited; he made sure that he was introduced to the few who spoke English. Of course, when Marie-Claude singled Bruce out to dance, heads turned and people whispered.

A Drum Roll and Midnight

At exactly midnight, there was a drum roll and Constantin, Count d'Autfort, rose.

(A drum roll is heard at exactly midnight)

"I would ask you all to rise as I propose a toast. The people of Hautefort have been a constant support to my family and to the reconstruction of the Chateau. I propose a toast to all of you."

He raised his glass and said, "To Hautefort and those who support it!"

Everyone repeated the toast, drank their Champagne and applauded.

Constantin remained standing.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement. Some of you may know that we are proposing a new venture which will bring opportunities to many of you. Next autumn we will be officially crushing the first grapes from our new vineyards."

There was applause.

A Label Designed and Miniatures Caste in Gold

"In commemoration of that event, we have had a new label designed for our wine. As a token of our esteem and our wishes for the successes of this objective, we had a label designed and miniatures caste in gold plate. For tonight's celebration we have had one framed for each of you to take home. It comes with a certificate for a case of our first pressing which you can claim next autumn.

"There will be similar gifts in perpetuity as a remembrance of our predecessor, Baron Maxence de Damas who organized yearly parties such as this and made gifts to all Hautefort inhabitants. This symbol of our gratitude will be issued as you leave. But, please do not leave yet. The orchestra is ready to play for your dancing pleasure for many hours."

Everyone stood in unison, they applauded and raised their glasses to Constantin and Marie Claude.

"That was a beautiful gesture on the part of you and your brother," Bruce said as he and Marie Claude danced amidst the invitees.
Now that the masks were off, people came to meet the family guest. Bruce shook hands with countless people who welcomed the visitor.

"Americans are always welcome at Hautefort," one said.
Another added, "Americans are always welcome in France. You were our liberators. We will always be grateful,"

Later, Emile Picard, the family lawyer, and a young woman at least a head taller than him and twenty years his junior came over to Bruce. They could have been father and daughter.

"Ah, Mister Kellner," he said as he extended his hand, "may I introduce my wife, France."

The Woman Was Exquisite

The woman was exquisite and her tight fitting floor length gown effectively gave her figure its due. The bright blue color matched her eyes. What a pity she had to wear a mask until then.

"Enchante, Madame," Bruce said in his best French.

"C'est moi," she replied with a warm smile and delicate handshake. "My husband has spoken to me about your mission."

Bruce smiled. "Merci," he replied but he wasn't sure why. "May I have the honor of dancing with your wife, Maitre Picard?" For the first time he noticed the lawyer's small red symbol of the Legion of Honor. Size, it seemed, had nothing to do with achievement.

The lawyer was gracious. "I'm sure it will be an honor for Madame," he replied with a smile.

They danced in silence. She was light on her feet and obviously experienced at dancing.

"I wish you success in your efforts," she said. "When it's all over, you must call on us at Bergerac. It would be a pleasure to see you at our humble home."

It was four a.m. when Bruce finally fell asleep. The party had been a great success.

Two days later, Bruce was on a train to Barcelona.

(Click here for the next chapter)


	Chapter 20 (It was the night of the masked ball at the chateau) At precisely nine p.m., a quartet of trumpeters blew a fanfare over the village of Hautefort from the chateau ramparts. At that precise moment, floodlights illuminated the entrance, the courtyard and the gardens. Flags wafted in the breeze as horse drawn carriages made their way slowly up the roadway, over the moat and into the ancient courtyard. People wore their Sunday best as pageboys dressed in blue and white littered the stairs with rose petals. Although the chateau was the reason for everyone's existence, many people were entering through the carved wood doors for the first time. The air stirred with anticipation and with excitement. No less than eighty carriages paraded up to the door with four people in each carriage. A staff of sixty people and an orchestra waited for everyone to arrive. Marie Claude and Constantin Make Their Entrance Then, at a prescribed moment a fanfare was repeated and Marie Claude and Constantin made their entrance from atop the gigantic staircase. A town crier announced: "Mesdames et Monsieurs… Je vous présente Le comte et La comtesse Constantin et Marie-Claude d'Autefort…" The applause filled the air. The ball had officially begun. There were round tables for those who wanted to sit in the courtyard. People gathered at the long buffet tables in the ballroom for the sampling of local delicacies of every kind. In the background, a quartet played classical music during the dinner and mostly waltz music afterwards. (The masks inhibited people from meeting each other) For the most part people mingled, but the masks inhibited people from meeting each other. Yet there was a great deal of chatter and laughing. Marcel recognized Bruce by his clothes and demeanor. He specifically tended to his needs and since Bruce's French was limited; he made sure that he was introduced to the few who spoke English. Of course, when Marie-Claude singled Bruce out to dance, heads turned and people whispered. A Drum Roll and Midnight At exactly midnight, there was a drum roll and Constantin, Count d'Autfort, rose. (A drum roll is heard at exactly midnight) "I would ask you all to rise as I propose a toast. The people of Hautefort have been a constant support to my family and to the reconstruction of the Chateau. I propose a toast to all of you." He raised his glass and said, "To Hautefort and those who support it!" Everyone repeated the toast, drank their Champagne and applauded. Constantin remained standing. "Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement. Some of you may know that we are proposing a new venture which will bring opportunities to many of you. Next autumn we will be officially crushing the first grapes from our new vineyards." There was applause. A Label Designed and Miniatures Caste in Gold "In commemoration of that event, we have had a new label designed for our wine. As a token of our esteem and our wishes for the successes of this objective, we had a label designed and miniatures caste in gold plate. For tonight's celebration we have had one framed for each of you to take home. It comes with a certificate for a case of our first pressing which you can claim next autumn. "There will be similar gifts in perpetuity as a remembrance of our predecessor, Baron Maxence de Damas who organized yearly parties such as this and made gifts to all Hautefort inhabitants. This symbol of our gratitude will be issued as you leave. But, please do not leave yet. The orchestra is ready to play for your dancing pleasure for many hours." Everyone stood in unison, they applauded and raised their glasses to Constantin and Marie Claude. "That was a beautiful gesture on the part of you and your brother," Bruce said as he and Marie Claude danced amidst the invitees. Now that the masks were off, people came to meet the family guest. Bruce shook hands with countless people who welcomed the visitor. "Americans are always welcome at Hautefort," one said. Another added, "Americans are always welcome in France. You were our liberators. We will always be grateful," Later, Emile Picard, the family lawyer, and a young woman at least a head taller than him and twenty years his junior came over to Bruce. They could have been father and daughter. "Ah, Mister Kellner," he said as he extended his hand, "may I introduce my wife, France." The Woman Was Exquisite The woman was exquisite and her tight fitting floor length gown effectively gave her figure its due. The bright blue color matched her eyes. What a pity she had to wear a mask until then. "Enchante, Madame," Bruce said in his best French. "C'est moi," she replied with a warm smile and delicate handshake. "My husband has spoken to me about your mission." Bruce smiled. "Merci," he replied but he wasn't sure why. "May I have the honor of dancing with your wife, Maitre Picard?" For the first time he noticed the lawyer's small red symbol of the Legion of Honor. Size, it seemed, had nothing to do with achievement. The lawyer was gracious. "I'm sure it will be an honor for Madame," he replied with a smile. They danced in silence. She was light on her feet and obviously experienced at dancing. "I wish you success in your efforts," she said. "When it's all over, you must call on us at Bergerac. It would be a pleasure to see you at our humble home." It was four a.m. when Bruce finally fell asleep. The party had been a great success. Two days later, Bruce was on a train to Barcelona. (Click here for the next chapter)