Ravenshoe. By Henry Kingsley.

LORD SALTIRE AND MACKWORTH. 149
ever allow that straightforward idiot Tiernay into the house?
He hates me, I know. I rather like the fool. He will take the
younger one's part on Monday; but I don't think my gentleman
will dare to say too much."
After this soliloquy, the key to which will appear very shortly,
Father Mackworth took off his clothes and got into bed.
The day before the funeral, Cuthbert sent a message to
Charles, to beg that he would be kind enough to receive Lord
Saltire; and, as the old man was expected at a certain hour,
Charles, about ten minutes before the time, went down to the
bottom of the hall-steps on to the terrace, to be ready for him
when he came.
0 the glorious wild freshness of the sea and sky after the
darkened house! The two old capes right and left; the mile-long
stretch of sand between them; and the short, crisp waves rolling
in before the westerly wind of spring! Life and useful action in
the rolling water; budding promise in the darkening woods;
young love in every bird's note! i X
William stood beside him before he had observed him.
Charles turned to him, and took his arm in his.
"Look at this," he said.
" I am looking at it."
"Does it make you glad and wild?" said Charles. "Does it
make the last week in the dark house look like twenty years?
Are the two good souls which are gone looking at it now, and rejoicing that earth should still have some pleasure left for us?"
" I hope not," said William, turning to Charles.
"And why?" said Charles, wondering rather what William
would say.
"I would n't," said William, "have neither of their hearts
broke with seeing what is to come."
"Their hearts broke!" said Charles, turning full round on his
foster-brother. " Let them see how we behave under it, William.
That will never break their hearts, my boy."
"Charles," said William, earnestly, " do you know what is
coming?"
"No, nor care.'"
"It is something terrible for you, I fear," said William.
"Have you any idea what it is?" said Charles.
"Not the least; but look here. Last night, near twelve, I
went down to the chapel, thinking to say an Ave before the coffin,
and there lay Master Cuthbert on the stones. So I kept quiet,
and said my prayer; and of a sudden he burst out, and said,' I
have risked my soul and my fortune to save him; Lord, remember it."'
"Did he say that, William?"