Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: September 6, 2025
"Nan!" called Freddie from under a big fur robe, as he sat in the warm straw of Mr. Carford's sled next to his sister. "Yes, what is it?" asked Nan, bending over him to look at his face in the gathering dusk of the winter afternoon. "Are you warm enough, Freddie?" "Yes, I'm as warm as the toast Dinah makes for breakfast.
"You're pleased to talk in riddles." "They're no harder to understand than your errand is to me, sir," I retorted. He mastered his anger with a strong effort, and in a few words told me his errand, adding that by Carford's advice he came to me. "For I am told, sir, that you have some power with the lady." I looked full and intently in his face. He met my gaze unflinchingly.
He might escape that perilous obligation by convincing Fontelles himself that he was a tool in hands less honourable than his own; then the Frenchman would in all likelihood abandon his enterprise. But with him would go Carford's hold on Barbara and his best prospect of winning her; for in her trouble lay his chance.
For my lord, although a most loyal gentleman, hated both the French and the Papists, and was much grieved at the King's apparent inclination in their favour. So he talked, I nodding and assenting to all, but wondering when he would bid me wait on my lady, and whether Mistress Barbara was glad that my Lord Carford's sword had passed through my arm only and done no greater hurt.
Carford's lips bent in a forced smile uglier than a scowl. "You love this fellow?" "You have heard." "And he loves you?" The sneer was bitter and strong. In it seemed now to lie Carford's only hope. Barbara met his glance an instant, and her answer to him was, "Go, go." "He loves you?" "Leave me. I beg you to leave me. Ah, God, won't you leave me?" "He loves you?" Her face went white.
I did not know who were the two that watched unless they were servants; Fontelles' fierce mood would not stand for the niceties of etiquette. Now I could recognise the Frenchman's bearing and even see Carford's face, although distance hid its expression. I was amazed and at a loss what to do. How could I stop them and by what right?
Carford and his nephew, Henry Burdock, have not spoken. As I said, Mr. Carford drove the young man away from Snow Lodge. It was in a raging storm and Henry might have frozen, only I found him and took him to a hotel. I helped look after him until he could get a start. It was a very sad affair, and it has spoiled Mr. Carford's life, for he loved Henry very much."
Often in these later days I see him as he was then, and think of him with tenderness. Say what you will, he made many love him even to death, who would not have lifted a finger for his father or the Duke of York. Yet in an instant such slaves are we of our moods I was more than half in a rage with him. For as we went we encountered Mistress Barbara on Lord Carford's arm.
Bert and Nan heard what was going on, and they insisted on giving their share also, so that quite a box full of really good toys were collected. A day or so later, when the weather had cleared, Bert came in from coasting, and said, "Mother, couldn't Nan and I take a ride over to Mr. Carford's house? He is out in front in his sled, and he says he'll bring us back before dark. May we go?"
"My orders will not endure much delay." "You can't take the lady by force." "I count on the aid of my friends and the King's to persuade her to accompany me willingly." I do not know whether the words brought the idea suddenly and as if with a flash into Carford's head. It may have been there dim and vague before, but now it was clear.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking