“However, my lord shook off all fancies that told against the fulfilment of Clement’s wishes.  All that afternoon we three sat together, planning; and Monkshaven passed in and out, executing our commissions, and preparing everything.  Towards nightfall all was ready for Clement’s start on his journey towards the coast.

“Madame had declined seeing any of us since my lord’s stormy interview with her.  She sent word that she was fatigued, and desired repose.  But, of course, before Clement set off, he was bound to wish her farewell, and to ask for her blessing.  In order to avoid an agitating conversation between mother and son, my lord and I resolved to be present at the interview.  Clement was already in his travelling-dress, that of a Norman fisherman, which Monkshaven had, with infinite trouble, discovered in the possession of one of the emigres who thronged London, and who had made his escape from the shores of France in this disguise.  Clement’s plan was, to go down to the coast of Sussex, and get some of the fishing or smuggling boats to take him across to the French coast near Dieppe.  There again he would have to change his dress.  Oh, it was so well planned!  His mother was startled by his disguise (of which we had not thought to forewarn her) as he entered her apartment.  And either that, or the being suddenly roused from the heavy slumber into which she was apt to fall when she was left alone, gave her manner an air of wildness that was almost like insanity.

“‘Go, go!’ she said to him, almost pushing him away as he knelt to kiss her hand.  ’Virginie is beckoning to you, but you don’t see what kind of a bed it is—­’

“‘Clement, make haste!’ said my lord, in a hurried manner, as if to interrupt madame.  ’The time is later than I thought, and you must not miss the morning’s tide.  Bid your mother good-bye at once, and let us be off.’  For my lord and Monkshaven were to ride with him to an inn near the shore, from whence he was to walk to his destination.  My lord almost took him by the arm to pull him away; and they were gone, and I was left alone with Madame de Crequy.  When she heard the horses’ feet, she seemed to find out the truth, as if for the first time.  She set her teeth together.  ‘He has left me for her!’ she almost screamed.  ’Left me for her!’ she kept muttering; and then, as the wild look came back into her eyes, she said, almost with exultation, ’But I did not give him my blessing!’”

CHAPTER VI.

“All night Madame de Crequy raved in delirium.  If I could I would have sent for Clement back again.  I did send off one man, but I suppose my directions were confused, or they were wrong, for he came back after my lord’s return, on the following afternoon.  By this time Madame de Crequy was quieter:  she was, indeed, asleep from exhaustion when Lord Ludlow and Monkshaven came in.  They were in high spirits,