She went to the Bellegardes, who told her gently that the child’s foster parents had come to the inn last night and taken him away. She need have no fear for him. He had gone to a very good home and would be well cared for throughout his life. Now we must leave. The Comte was expecting us to arrive at the chateau within the next few days.
AT THE CHATEAU SILVAINE
I
Margot was stunned. When I spoke to her she did not answer. I knew that nothing I said could comfort her so I remained silent.
As we passed through the country I knew that she was making mental notes of the places, promising herself that she would come back and find Chariot.
Poor Margot, this was the first time she realized that what had happened was not some sort of high adventure. It had had its terrifying moments, of course, such as when she had discovered she was going to have a child, but even then the excitement had carried her along. Now the abject misery of losing her child enveloped her and she knew what real unhappiness meant.
I shall never forget my first sight of the Chateau Silvaine. It was built on a slight eminence, and its lofty tower could be seen from several miles away. A great fortress with pepper-pot-shaped towers at its four corners and in the centre the great watch tower, it looked formidable, menacing which was what I supposed it was meant to be, for in the thirteenth century it would have been a fortress rather than a home.
As we approached its magnificence increased.
We must have been observed by the minstrel in the watch tower for the grooms were waiting for us as we came into the precincts of the castle.
We were in a big nagged courtyard and ahead of us rose] the grey marble staircase of which Margot had told me. ,j Margot said: “Good day’ to the grooms and one replied:’ ” Welcome back to the chateau. Mademoiselle. I am happy to” see you.”
Thank you, Jacques,” she said. Is my father expecting us oh yes. Mademoiselle, he has given orders that as n as you and the English Mademoiselle arrive you are to go to the red salon and he is to be told of your arrival. “
Margot nodded.
“This is my English cousin. Mademoiselle Maddox.”
“Mademoiselle,” murmured Jacques, bowing.
I inclined my head in acknowledgement and Margot said:
“We should go at once to the red salon. Then we can go to our rooms.”
“Would it not be better to wash and change,” I suggested.
“We are rather dusty from the journey,” “He said to the red salon first,” replied Margot; and I realized, of course, that his word was law.
“We won’t mount the great staircase,” said Margot.
“That is one way to that part of the castle which we use, but there is another. It was the only approach in medieval days, but much of the castle has been altered to provide greater comfort and we can go this way.”
“Monsieur, Madame,” said Jacques to the Bellegardes, you will step this way. ” Margot led me across the courtyard to a door which we went through.
We were in a hall not unlike that at Derringham Manor, but the furniture here was more elaborate and although gilded and intricately decorated gave an impression of delicacy.
There was a beautifully-curved staircase leading from the hall and Margot and I ascended this. We went along a corridor and she opened a door. This was the red salon. I had never seen such beautiful furnishings and it was elegant in the extreme. The curtains were of red silk edged with gold. There were two or three sofas and several gilded chairs. I particularly noticed a cabinet containing glass goblets and decanters. The only thing the room lacked was comfort.
Everything in it seemed either too elaborate or fragile to have been put there for use.
I was very conscious of my travel-stained appearance and thought it typical of the Comte not to give us a chance to make ourselves fit for the meeting. I had already started to feel antagonistic towards him and I was sure that he had acted in this way to make us feel at a disadvantage.
When he came in my heart started to beat fast in spite of my inward resolve not to be browbeaten. He was plainly dressed but everything he wore proclaimed that it was of the best. The wool jacket was perfectly cut, the buttons certainly pure gold; the lace at his wrists and throat dazzlingly white.
He stood, legs apart, arms folded behind his back, looking from one to the other of us, a faint smile of satisfaction settling on his lips.
“So … our little affaire is over,” he said.
Margot curtsied while he looked at her half amused, half impatient.
Then his eyes were on me.
“Mademoiselle Maddox, this is a pleasure.”
I inclined my head.
“I have to thank you,” he said, ‘for helping us out of this unfortunate contretemps. I believe it has been conducted as well as we could have hoped. “
“I trust so,” I said.
Tray be seated. You too. Marguerite. “
He indicated two chairs and himself took a chair by the window-his back to it so that his face was in shadow and the light fell full on us. I was immediately aware of my less than immaculate appearance.
“Now let us talk of what lies ahead. That little matter is over and we shall never speak of it again. It is as though it never happened.
Mademoiselle Maddox is on a visit to us. I think she might remain a distant cousin. We discovered the connection when I was in England.
Marguerite has been indisposed and her English cousin had just lost her mother. They comforted each other and out of the goodness of her heart. Mademoiselle Maddox agreed to accompany Marguerite on a little vacation. They” have been resting for a month or two in a quiet village in the south and they are employing their time teaching each other the other’s language, It will be seen how successfully.
Mademoiselle, I complement you on your grasp of our tongue. If I may say so your accent and intonation nave improved since we last met.
You grammar of course was always impeccable but while man can write our language, few can speak. You are an exception!
Thank you,” I said. ” And since you are my cousin although such a distant one! think it inappropriate for me to call you Mademoiselle Maddox. I shall call you Cousin Minelle and you shall call me Cousin Charles. Why, you look horrified! “
“I shall find it difficult,” I said with some embarrassment.
“Such a little matter! I had the impression that you were a woman of great resource, capable of mastering the most difficult obstacles and you balk at a name!”
I merely find it difficult to regard myself as related to-‘ I waved a hand and finished: ‘such grandeur. “
“I am enchanted that you see it as such. Then you will be happy to be part of a family such as ours.”
“I have such a spurious claim.”
“But one which is freely given by me.” He rose and came towards us.
Then, placing his hands on my shoulders, he kissed me solemnly on the brow.
“Cousin Minelle,” he said, “I welcome you into the bosom of the family.”
I flushed uneasily, aware of Margot regarding me in some astonishment.
He resumed his seat.
“Sealed and settled,” he said.
“The kiss of welcome-as binding as my seal on a document. We are grateful to you, Cousin, are we not.
Marguerite? “
“I don’t know what I should have done without Minelle,” she answered fervently.
“So …” He gesticulated.
“We shall entertain here in the chateau,” he went on, ‘and as my cousin you will join with us. “
“I had not expected that,” I replied.
“I shall not really be equipped to join such company.”