The Cloister and the Hearth

by Charles Reade

  CHAPTER LI

  The reader already knows how much these two had to tell one another.It was a sweet yet bitter day for Margaret, since it brought her a truefriend, and ill news; for now first she learned that Gerard was allalone in that strange land. She could not think with Denys that he wouldcome home; indeed he would have arrived before this.

  Denys was a balm. He called her his she-comrade, and was always cheeringher up with his formula and hilarities, and she petted him and mademuch of him, and feebly hectored it over him as well as over Martin, andwould not let him eat a single meal out of her house, and forbade him touse naughty words. "It spoils you, Denys. Good lack, to hear such uglywords come forth so comely a head: forbear, or I shall be angry: so becivil." Whereupon Denys was upon his good behaviour, and ludicrous thestruggle between his native politeness and his acquired ruffianism. Andas it never rains but it pours, other persons now solicited Margaret'sfriendship. She had written to Margaret Van Eyck a humble letter tellingher she knew she was no longer the favourite she had been, and wouldkeep her distance; but could not forget her benefactress's pastkindness. She then told her briefly how many ways she had battled for aliving, and in conclusion, begged earnestly that her residence might notbe betrayed, "least of all to his people. I do hate them, they drovehim from me. And even when he was gone, their hearts turned not to me asthey would an if they had repented their cruelty to him."

  The Van Eyck was perplexed. At last she made a confidante of Reicht. Thesecret ran through Reicht, as through a cylinder, to Catherine.

  "Ay, and is she turned that bitter against us?" said that good woman."She stole our son from us, and now she hates us for not running intoher arms. Natheless it is a blessing she is alive and no farther awaythan Rotterdam."

  The English princess, now Countess Charolois, made a statelyprogress through the northern states of the duchy, accompanied by herstepdaughter the young heiress of Burgundy, Marie de Bourgogne. Then theold duke, the most magnificent prince in Europe, put out his splendour.Troops of dazzling knights, and bevies of fair ladies gorgeouslyattired, attended the two princesses; and minstrels, jongleurs, orstory-tellers, bards, musicians, actors, tumblers followed in the train;and there was fencing, dancing, and joy in every town they shone on.Richart invited all his people to meet him at Rotterdam and view thepageant.

  They had been in Rotterdam some days, when Denys met Catherineaccidentally in the street, and after a warm greeting on both sides,bade her rejoice, for he had found the she-comrade, and crowed; butCatherine cooled him by showing him how much earlier he would have foundher by staying quietly at Tergou, than by vagabondizing it all overHolland. "And being found, what the better are we? her heart is set deadagainst us now."

  "Oh, let that flea stick; come you with me to her house."

  No, she would not go where she was sure of an ill welcome. "Them thatcome unbidden sit unseated." No, let Denys be mediator, and bring theparties to a good understanding. He undertook the office at once, andwith great pomp and confidence. He trotted off to Margaret and said,"She-comrade, I met this day a friend of thine."

  "Thou didst look into the Rotter then, and see thyself."

  "Nay, 'twas a female, and one that seeks thy regard; 'twas Catherine,Gerard's mother."

  "Oh, was it?" said Margaret; "then you may tell her she comes too late.There was a time I longed and longed for her; but she held aloof in myhour of most need, so now we will be as we ha' been."

  Denys tried to shake this resolution. He coaxed her, but she was bitterand sullen, and not to be coaxed. Then he scolded her well; then, atthat she went into hysterics.

  He was frightened at this result of his eloquence, and being off hisguard, allowed himself to be entrapped into a solemn promise never torecur to the subject. He went back to Catherine crestfallen, andtold her. She fired up and told the family how his overtures had beenreceived. Then they fired up; it became a feud and burned fiercer everyday. Little Kate alone made some excuses for Margaret.

  The very next day another visitor came to Margaret, and found themilitary enslaved and degraded, Martin up to his elbows in soapsuds,and Denys ironing very clumsily, and Margaret plaiting ruffs, but witha mistress's eye on her raw levies. To these there entered an old man,venerable at first sight, but on nearer view keen and wizened.

  "Ah," cried Margaret. Then swiftly turned her back on him and hid herface with invincible repugnance. "Oh, that man! that man!"

  "Nay, fear me not," said Ghysbrecht; "I come on a friend's errand. Ibring ye a letter from foreign parts."

  "Mock me not, old man," and she turned slowly round.

  "Nay, see;" and he held out an enormous letter.

  Margaret darted on it, and held it with trembling hands and glisteningeyes. It was Gerard's handwriting.

  "Oh, thank you, sir, bless you for this, I forgive you all the ill youever wrought me."

  And she pressed the letter to her bosom with one hand, and glidedswiftly from the room with it.

  As she did not come back, Ghysbrecht went away, but not without a scowlat Martha. Margaret was hours alone with her letter.