And in the midst, just as Eustace was a
little better, and there was no excuse for refusing to obey the drag
of her chains, Margaret was summoned away to attend on her absurd
Princess, who was going to Orleans, by way of keeping the Cardinal's
forces out of her father's city.
Margaret had kept things straight. I do not know how it was, but
peace always went away with her; and my mother did things she never
attempted when the real lady of the house was at home. And yet I
might thank my own hasty folly for much of what befell.
Eustace was much better, sitting up in his night-gown by the fire,
and ready, as I thought, to talk over everything, and redress my
wrongs, or at least comfort the wretchedness that had grown upon me
daily since that miserable quarrel with Clement. I poured it all
out, and even was mad enough to say it was his fault for delaying so
long the journey to the Hague. Clement, who had been well-nigh ready
to join us and be a good Protestant, was going back to the old
delusions, and taking office under the Government; and even if the
bravoes had not killed him, he would be spoilt for any honest
Englishwoman; and I might as well take that miserable little
schoolboy, which I supposed was all my brother wished. Then the
estate would be safe enough.
Eustace could only assure me that the delay was as grievous to him as
to me. indeed, as I could see in a more reasonable mood, he had been
unable to get from Ribaumont the moneys needful for the journey, the
steward not venturing to send them while the roads were so unsafe;
but when he begged me to have patience, it seemed to sting my
headstrong temper, and I broke out in some such words as these:
'Patience! Patience! I am sick of it.
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