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The feeling which possessed Guida as she looked at the Paternosters was almost like blank fear. Yet physical fear she had never felt, not since that day when the battle raged in the Vier Marchi, and Philip d'Avranche had saved her from the destroying scimitar of the Turk.
Guida rose to her feet. "Philip d'Avranche has trespassed," she said. "What Philip d'Avranche, mademoiselle?" asked the Bailly in a rough, ungenerous tone. "Admiral Philip d'Avranche, known as his Serene Highness the Duc de Bercy, has trespassed on me," she answered. She did not look at Philip, her eyes were fixed upon the Bailly and the jurats. The Bailly whispered to one or two jurats.
Then, by command of the Duke, the President of the States read aloud the new order of succession: "1. To the Hereditary Prince Leopold John and his heirs male; in default of which to The Prince successor, Philip d'Avranche and his heirs male; in default of which to The heir male of the House of Vaufontaine."
"Yes, Philip d'Avranche, it is as I say, justice will come to me. The world turned against me because of you; I have been shamed and disgraced. For years I have suffered in silence. But I have waited without fear for the end. God is with me. He is stronger than fortune or fate. He has brought you to Jersey once more, to right my wrongs, mine and my child's."
Monsieur d'Avranche" he turned to Philip, and his words were slow and deliberate "I hope we may yet meet in the Place du Vier Prison but when and where you will; and you shall find me in the Vendee when you please." So saying, he bowed, and, turning, left the room. "What meant the fellow by his Place du Vier Prison?" asked the Duke. "Who knows, monsieur le duc?" answered Philip.
This particular session of the Court was to proceed with unusual spirit and importance, for after the reading of the King's Proclamation, the Royal Court and the States were to present the formal welcome of the island to Admiral Prince Philip d'Avranche, Duc de Bercy; likewise to offer a bounty to all Jerseymen enlisting under him. The island was en fete.
But she let herself be comforted by the anticipated effect of her "wonderfuls." "I'll tell you what comes after ah, but see then what a news I have for you! You know that Monsieur d'Avranche well, what do you think has come to him?" Guida felt as if a monstrous hand had her heart in its grasp, crushing it. Presentiment seized her.
The aged nobleman was too keen an observer not to see the designed flattery, but he was in a mood when flattery was palatable, seeing that many of his own class were arrayed against him for not having joined the army of the Vendee; and that the Revolutionists, with whom he had compromised, for the safety of his lands of d'Avranche and his duchy of Bercy, regarded him with suspicion.
At first he only grasped the fact that Philip d'Avranche was the husband of the woman he loved, and that she had been abandoned. Then sudden remembrance stunned him: Philip d'Avranche, Duc de Bercy, had another wife.
Down through generations of Huguenot refugees had passed sorrow and fighting and piety and love and occasional joy, until in the eyes of this child they all met, delicately vague, and with the wistfulness of the early morning of life. "What is your name, little lady?" asked d'Avranche of the child. "Guida, sir," she answered simply. "Mine is Philip. Won't you call me Philip?"
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