"I expect you all chattered away in great excitement."
"Perhaps. I have met them since. They were lonely and, as you say, it was good to speak French. I have seen them once or twice since."
"You must know more about them than anyone else." Caroline smiled. "I have heard that the boy is rich and used to having his own way with everyone. He's the master of the household and knows it. Mrs. Clark is quite a gossip. They say here that she is a regular Sherborne."
"A Sherborne? I do not know that."
"Oh, it's an old saying that goes back to the days when there was only one newspaper which came all the way from Sherborne. It was the Sherborne Mercury, I believe. They say here, when anyone is a bit of a gossip, that he or she is a regular Sherborne."
Melisande laughed. She had never been on such happy terms with Caroline.
"Well," went on Caroline, "Mrs. Clark says they belong to an old French family—aristocrats. One branch lost its possessions in the revolution; the other survived and escaped. The boy belongs to the rich de la Roches and the man to the poor branch of the family; but if the boy should die the fortune will go to the man. Mrs. Clark is full of sympathy for the man; she says the boy is a handful."
"The regular Sherborne is, I should say, quite right. The boy is amusing but it is not good for one so young to know his power. The man is very kind and tolerant."
"Have you met them often?"
"Once or twice."
Caroline smiled to herself. She was very interested in the foreigners and particularly in the man. It pleased her that he and Melisande had become friends. It seemed to her that this man might provide a solution which would prove satisfactory to everyone concerned.
This was a great occasion. Everyone in the house was talking about it. Sir Charles, Miss Caroline and the Mamazel had all been invited to dine at the rectory with the Danesboroughs.
" 'Tis the first time," said Mr. Meaker, "that I ever heard of a companion going out to visit social like with the family . . . unless, of course she was a poor relation."
Mrs. Soady sat at the head of the table cutting up the pasties so that the savour of onions made everyone's mouth water. She said nothing, but the curve of her lips told them all clearly that if she had chosen to speak she could have startled them.
Mr. Meaker seemed slightly irritated. If she knew something it was a matter of servants' hall etiquette to impart it—at least to Mr. Meaker.
"Well, Mrs. Soady," he said, "you don't think it be strange then?"
Mrs. Soady paused with the knife and fork gracefully poised above the pasty. "Mr. Meaker, I can't say. I be as surprised as you, and that's all I'm in a position to say."
"I've been in some big houses," said Mr. Meaker, "and I repeat: I've never seen it before unless it was a poor relation."
"As a regular thing you be right, Mr. Meaker."
"Of course," said Peg, "she's very pretty."
"And educated better than a lady," put in Bet; "though that might go against her—some holding that education ain't all that ladylike."
"Mr. Danesborough," said the footman, "is never one to stand on ceremony . . . parson though he may be."
"And related to a lord," added Mr. Meaker.
Everyone was looking at Mrs. Soady who, as she served up the pasties, was smiling knowingly at her secret.
"It do make you think," said Peg, "that this Mamazel . . . be somebody."
That made Mrs. Soady dimple.
She do know something! thought Mr. Meaker. 'Tis something about the Mamazel.
From now on it was going to be Mr. Meaker's special task to prise that secret out of Mrs. Soady.
To Melisande it was a great occasion. It was to be the first time she wore the dress bought in Paris for such an occasion, the dress with the frilled skirt and its accompanying sousjupe crinoline. She had cleverly made a rose from pieces of silk and velvet which Miss Pennifield had given her. This she tucked into her corsage, and it gave a youthfulness to the Paris gown, and the green of the rose's stalk and leaf matched her eyes.
Caroline came into the room. She was wearing a blue silk dress, a charming dress she had thought it and one of her most becoming, but as soon as she looked at Melisande she felt it to be dowdy. How could Melisande afford such a dress? And why should a simple gown look so'much more becoming than all the blue silk frills and tucks which had taken so many of Miss Pennifield's hours to create?
Caroline felt that if Fermor had been in the house she would have hated Melisande.
"What a lovely dress!" said she. "It's quite plain . . . apart from the flower. Oh, it is a lovely flower!"
"You have it," said Melisande.
"No, no. It is for your dress. I can see that." Caroline forced herself to smile. "Mr. Danesborough has a special reason for asking you."
"A special reason?"
"Wait and see. A surprise. A rather nice one, I think."
Melisande looked very excited and Caroline thought: She is so young, so fresh and charming. No wonder she attracts him. But for him I should have enjoyed keeping her as my companion.
Melisande was thinking: What a pity! It is Fermor who makes the trouble. She is pleased because there is to be a nice surprise for me. And what is it ? What can it be ? What a nice quiet happiness there is without him!
Later, riding in the carriage with Sir Charles and Caroline, she felt that she belonged to them, and that was what she could only call a great pleasantness.
Sir Charles talked to them both. He was eager to know how Caroline was progressing with her French lessons.
"She progresses well," said Melisande.
"And you are enjoying your riding?"
"That has been a great enjoyment," she told him.
Melisande waited eagerly. Perhaps now he would tell her that soon she must go. Surely they must tell her soon and, now that they were here talking so intimately, that would be a good time?
But neither he nor Caroline said anything about her leaving them.
"I daresay Caroline keeps you and Miss Pennifield busy with the sewing for her wedding."
"Yes, Papa. Mademoiselle St. Martin has very good taste."
"Undoubtedly she has."
He closed his eyes to indicate that he did not wish for more conversation. He was disturbed to be travelling with them both like this. They brought back such memories to him of Maud and Millie, for each was sufficiently like her mother to remind him. He was greatly disturbed by this beautiful young girl. He was wondering what he was going to do with her when Caroline went away. He had a daring scheme. He was thinking of installing her as housekeeper. What would the servants have to say to that! She was popular with them, but to set a young girl in such a position, so that she was the equal of Mrs. Soady and Mr. Meaker! It might cause trouble. It might even do worse. It might cause conjecture. He was terrified of that.
He had hoped in the first place that Caroline would take her away with her when she married. That would have been the best solution. Eventually he might have found a suitable husband for her. But, of course, she could not go with Caroline. He had reckoned without Fermor.
It was a very daring proposition this—to keep her in the house, to create a position for her. He would have to proceed very warily, for there was one thing he could not endure: scandal which might result in exposure.
He was glad that Wenna would leave with Caroline. He would certainly be glad to see the back of that woman.