“Woman’s reason is in the milk of her breasts,” was one of his rough notes, due to an observation of Lucy’s maternal cares.  Let us remember, therefore, we men who have drunk of it largely there, that she has it.

Mrs. Berry zealously apprised him how early Master Richard’s education had commenced, and the great future historian he must consequently be.  This trait in Lucy was of itself sufficient to win Sir Austin.

“Here my plan with Richard was false,” he reflected:  “in presuming that anything save blind fortuity would bring him such a mate as he should have.”  He came to add:  “And has got!”

He could admit now that instinct had so far beaten science; for as Richard was coming, as all were to be happy, his wisdom embraced them all paternally as the author of their happiness.  Between him and Lucy a tender intimacy grew.

“I told you she could talk, sir,” said Adrian.

“She thinks!” said the baronet.

The delicate question how she was to treat her uncle, he settled generously.  Farmer Blaize should come up to Raynham when he would:  Lucy must visit him at least three times a week.  He had Farmer Blaize and Mrs. Berry to study, and really excellent Aphorisms sprang from the plain human bases this natural couple presented.

“It will do us no harm,” he thought, “some of the honest blood of the soil in our veins.”  And he was content in musing on the parentage of the little cradled boy.  A common sight for those who had the entry to the library was the baronet cherishing the hand of his daughter-in-law.

So Richard was crossing the sea, and hearts at Raynham were beating quicker measures as the minutes progressed.  That night he would be with them.  Sir Austin gave Lucy a longer, warmer salute when she came down to breakfast in the morning.  Mrs. Berry waxed thrice amorous.  “It’s your second bridals, ye sweet livin’ widow!” she said.  “Thanks be the Lord! it’s the same man too! and a baby over the bed-post,” she appended seriously.

“Strange,” Berry declared it to be, “strange I feel none o’ this to my Berry now.  All my feelin’s o’ love seem t’ave gone into you two sweet chicks.”

In fact, the faithless male Berry complained of being treated badly, and affected a superb jealousy of the baby; but the good dame told him that if he suffered at all he suffered his due.  Berry’s position was decidedly uncomfortable.  It could not be concealed from the lower household that he had a wife in the establishment, and for the complications this gave rise to, his wife would not legitimately console him.  Lucy did intercede, but Mrs. Berry, was obdurate.  She averred she would not give up the child till he was weaned.  “Then, perhaps,” she said prospectively.  “You see I ain’t so soft as you thought for.”

“You’re a very unkind, vindictive old woman,” said Lucy.

“Belike I am,” Mrs. Berry was proud to agree.  We like a new character, now and then.  Berry had delayed too long.