Part 5 (2/2)
The tremulous voice spoke a hundred unuttered welcomes in the brief sentence.
”Grandfather.”
It was not weakness which shook the other tones.
Sir Henry smiled. How good the touch and clasp of warm young fingers is on those that grow cold and chill!
For a moment the shadows have gone, as blue eyes look into the clear depths of grey. This is a Berrington who will hold honour high--a Berrington whom he can trust to remember all that is due to the name.
The old man's heart throbbed quickly, whilst mute lips thanked G.o.d for such an heir. Then, once more, the shadow fell. Bending low, Michael listened to the faintly gasping breaths.
”He ... may be ... alive. If so ... he ... will come back ... when he hears. He ... was always afraid ... of me. That was how ... it began.
My boy ... Stephen ... I ... have cursed him ... but his mother ...
loved him. If he comes ... back ... I leave the ... honour of ...
Berrington in your hands, ... Michael. Swear you will ... watch over it ... always?”
”I swear.”
A smile broke over the tired lips, as though a burden had been dropped from weary arms into the safe clasp of stronger ones.
”Michael,” whispered the old man. ”Yes ... can trust ... Michael. He ... has not failed me.... Would ... G.o.d he had ... been my son. Yet Mary ... loved Stephen.... Poor lad ... afraid of me ... and then ...
a traitor.... May G.o.d ... forgive----”
One long sigh, and Sir Henry had gone to finish his plea for pardon in the presence of Heaven itself.
But Michael sat pondering long by the dead man's side, pondering on many things, till the candles guttered and went out with a final flare, leaving him alone in the darkness with Death.
Yet he was not afraid, even though the sigh which broke from his lips presently was half a sob.
Supposing his father were yet alive?
”I swear.”
It was the mute reiteration of an oath.
CHAPTER VI
MISTRESS GABRIELLE GOES PRIMROSING
”I vow that I would sooner be a nun than live here all my life alone.”
And Beauty in a pa.s.sion stamped her little foot, scolded her dog, and then ran upstairs to put her hat on.
<script>