"It is our genealogical tree," said the old people to their

children, "and therefore it must be honoured."

A hundred years had elapsed. It was in our own days; the lake

had been transformed into marsh land; the whole baronial seat had,

as it were, disappeared. A pool of water near some ruined walls was

the only remainder of the deep ditches; and here stood a magnificent

old tree with overhanging branches- that was the genealogical tree.

Here it stood, and showed how beautiful a willow can look if one