Part 32 (2/2)
”Last night. Mr. Berrington and Cousin Jehan brought me, with Nurse Bond for chaperon. Poor nurse! She's a mighty poor traveller, and cried 'lack-a-day' every moment she could spare from her groanings.”
But Morice had no thought for the sufferings of Nurse Bond.
”De Quernais!” he repeated. ”He is here?”
”Oh, no. He returned to Kernak last night. He wanted me to go too, but I waited for you. He promised to ride over this morning with Cecile.”
The colour burned suddenly in Morice's cheeks.
”Cecile?”
The speaking of a name may betray one.
Gabrielle, looking up sharply, understood at once who the teacher of Varenac honour had been.
A dimple deepened in her cheeks.
”You have met Cousin Cecile?”
”Yes.”
”Jehan tells me she is pretty.”
”It ... it is true.”
”You do not appear very certain, sir.”
”It is because I am too certain. She is as lovely as she is good.”
”Then it is she who called you M. le Marquis?”
What woman could have resisted the touch of raillery?
But Morice was very serious in his reply.
”It is for that reason that I _am_ Marquis de Varenac, and cry 'Vive le roi,'” he answered. ”She showed me what loyalty meant. I have been fool and knave, Gay, but pray Heaven she may not know it, till I have proved my honour.”
Another pause.
”Jehan!” whispered Gabrielle. ”Oh! if only he had not returned last night to Kernak! But how did you miss him?”
”I should have been here myself ere midnight, but lost my way in the stretch of forest which lies between. I should have had a sorry night had it not been for the hospitality of a charcoal burner, who allowed me to sleep in his hut.”
”And now----”
”We must not delay, sister. There is work to be done, and at once, though ... though I fear that Cecile will not come over to-day.”
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