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.