It is my mistress!

Since she is living, let the time run on

To good or bad.--CYMBELINE

Mericour found the welcome at Hurst Walwyn kindly and more polished

than that at Combe Manor. He was more readily understood, and

found himself at his natural element. Lord Walwyn, in especial,

took much notice of him, and conversed with him long and earnestly;

while Berenger, too happy and too weary to exert himself to say

many words, sat as near Cecily as he could, treating her as though

she, who had never contradicted in his trust in Eustacie, were the

only person who could worthily share his infinite relief, peace,

and thankfulness.

Lord Walwyn said scarcely anything to his grandson that night, only

when Berenger, as usual, bent his knee to ask his blessing on

parting for the night, he said, gravely, 'Son, I am glad of your

joy; I fear me you have somewhat to pardon your grandsire. Come to

my library so soon as morning prayers be over; we will speak then.

Not now, my dear lad,' he added, as Berenger, with tears in his

eyes, kissed his hand, and would have begun; 'you are too much worn

and spent to make my dear ears hear. Sleep, and take my blessing

with you.'

It was a delight to see the young face freed from the haggard,

dejected expression that had been sadder than the outward wound;

and yet it was so questionable how far the French connection was

acceptable to the family, that when Berenger requested Mr. Adderley

to make mention of the mercy vouch-safed to him in the morning

devotions, the chaplain bowed, indeed, but took care to ascertain

that his so doing would be agreeable to my Lord and my Lady.

He found that if Lady Walwyn was still inclined to regret that the

Frenchwoman was so entirely a wife, and thought Berenger had been

very hasty and imprudent, yet that the old Lord was chiefly

distressed at the cruel injustice he had so long been doing this

poor youth thing. A strong sense of justice, and long habit of

dignified self-restraint, alone prevented Lord Walwyn from severely

censuring Mr. Adderley for misrepresentations; but the old nobleman

recollected that Walsingham had been in the same story, and was too

upright to visit his own vexation on the honestly-mistaken tutor.

However, when Berenger made his appearance in the study, looking as

if not one right, but weeks, had been spent in recovering health

and spirit, the old man's first word was a gentle rebuke for his

having been left unaware of how far matters had gone; but he cut

short the attempted reply, but saying he knew it was chiefly owing

to his own over-hasty conclusion, and fear of letting his grandson

injure himself by vainly discussing the subject.




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