'The foundations are cast down, and what hath the
righteous done?'
We were met by Harry Merrycourt, who had obtained the employment for
Clement that he had hoped for. It was well, for, when Walwyn was
repurchased, all our money had been sunk in it, and enough borrowed
to consume the rents for some years to come, and thus we had to live
very frugally in a little house in Westminster; but as for that, I
was far happier marketing in the morning with my basket on my arm,
cooking my husband's supper, making his shirts, and by and by nursing
my babe, than ever I had been in all the stiff state and splendour of
poor Margaret's fine salons. Camlet suits me better than brocade,
and a basket of fresh eggs better than a gold-enamelled snuff-box.
While, though I did long to see the old home again, I knew it would
be bare of those who had made it dear, and, besides, it would be as
well that M. Darpent should rub off as much as might be of his French
breeding before showing him among the Thistlewoods and Merrycourts,
and all the rest of our country-folk. Moreover, after the stir of
Paris he might have found himself dull, and he had the opportunity of
studying English law; ay, and I saw him yearly winning more and more
trust and confidence among those who had to do with him, and forming
friendships with Mr. John Evelyn and other good men.
So, when better times came round, and we had our King and Court back,
on the very day of my Harry's birth, M.
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