the chair, and he sat upright, but dead; his hand fastened tight upon his cousin’s.  She screamed and fell, half-fainting, across the table.  The keeper sprung to her aid, and took hold of the full goblet of wine and pressed it to her lips.  She tried to recover herself, seeming to know ’twas not the time to indulge in a fainting fit; but the strain was too much, her body was stronger than her mind, and she mechanically took the goblet and poured the contents down her throat.  A thought must have come to her with the rapidity of lightning, for she jerked the goblet from her mouth, spilling the dark fluid over her.  She glared at the empty cup with distended eyeballs, and screaming once wildly, fell heavily across the table.

It had turned out differently and better than Buckingham had thought; and after making a hasty trip into France, whence he was immediately recalled by his King—­who was luxuriating in the easement of pecuniary difficulties—­he journeyed to Ellswold to present to the young Duchess certain rare laces, gems and porcelains he had found—­so he intimated—­among the Russian Count’s possessions.

CHAPTER XXV

THE GARDEN OF YOUTH

The meeting of Katherine and her father was a joyous one.  As Sir John pressed her to his heart, Janet knelt at his feet, kissing the hand he held out to her.  And there stood by the Duke of Ellswold and Sir Julian, the latter having received at last the most gracious welcome from the Duchess.

But yet Pomphrey was not happy; his conscience troubled him beyond measure.  So he set about to make himself right with the world.  He argued that adoration should be given to God only, and when one was so selfish and thoughtless to give it to another being, it was time he looked to his soul.  And for the correction of this serious fault, he left Ellswold and went into France, and in a short time became a devout religieux.

Lady Bettie Payne was so wrought upon by this great change in Sir Julian’s life, for a fortnight she remained within her chamber, trying to feel what ’twould be like to live the life of a nun.  But this season of devotion was suddenly interrupted by a visit from St. Mar, of whom she was very fond.  He asked her hand in marriage and was accepted.

In course of time a family of three boys and two girls were born to the Duke and Duchess.  A great christening party was in preparation.  The Duchess was worried about the christening robe, that had not yet arrived, and she said to Janet,—­

“Indeed, Janet, this delay reminds me of my anxiety over the chests that were to bring me my first finery—­dost remember, at Crandlemar?”

“Aye.  It does not take much of a memory to think back seven years!”

“Seven years!  Why, Janet, thou art growing old!”

“Nay, sweet Mistress; but the two generations I now nurse are very young.”