fretted or flouted, and at last I took her back to stay at Combe for Aunt Cecily to cheer up a bit; and—­well, well, to get rid of the matter and silence Dame Nan, I consented to a betrothal between her and Merrycourt—­since she vowed she would rather wait single for him than wed any one else.  He is a good youth, and is working himself to a shadow between studying and teaching; but as to sending him alone to bring Berry’s wife back, he was over-young for that.  No one could do that fitly save myself, and I only wish I had gone three years ago, to keep you two foolish lads out of harm’s way.  But they set up an unheard-of hubbub, and made sure I should lose myself.  What are you laughing at, you Jacksauce?’

’To think of you starting, father, with not a word of French, and never from home further than once to London.’

’Ah! you thought to come the traveled gentleman over me, but I’ve been even with you.  I made Dame Nan teach me a few words, but I never could remember anything but that “mercy” is “thank ye.”  However, Merrycourt offered to come with me, and my Lord wished it.  Moreover, I thought he might aid in tracing you out.  So I saw my Lord alone, and he passed his word to me that, come what would, no one should persuade him to alter his will to do wrong to Berenger’s daughter; and so soon as Master Hobbs could get the THROSTLE unladen, and fitted out again, we sailed for Bordeau, and there he is waiting for us, while Clause and I bought horses and hired a guide, and made our way here on Saturday, where we were very welcome; and the Duchess said she would but wait till she could learn there were no bands of the enemy at hand, to go down with me herself to the place where she had sent the lady.  A right worthy dame is this same Duchess, and a stately; and that young King, as they call him, seems hard to please, for he told Berry that his wife’s courtliness and ease in his reception were far above aught that he found here.  What he means is past a plain man, for as to Berry’s wife she is handy, and notable enough, and ’tis well he loves her so well; but what a little brown thing it is, for a man to have gone through such risks for.  Nothing to look at beside his mother!’

‘If you could only see Madame de Selinville!’ sighed Philip; then—­ ’Ah! sir, you would know the worth of Eustacie had you seen her in yonder town.’

‘Very like!’ said Sir Marmaduke; ’but after all our fears at home of a fine court madam, it takes one aback to see a little homely brown thing, clad like a serving wench.  Well, Dame Nan will not be displeased, she always said the girl would grow up no beauty, and ’tis the way of women to brook none fairer than themselves!  Better so.  She is a good Protestant, and has done rarely by you, Phil.’

’Truly, I might be glad ’twas no court madam that stood by me when Berry was called back to the fight:  and for the little one, ’tis the loveliest and bravest little maid I ever saw.  Have they told you of the marigolds, father?’