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Updated: July 21, 2025
And Carford knew Fontelles. On what errand did they come? Were they friends to one another or foes? If friends, they should find an enemy; if foes, there was another to share their battle. I could not tell the meaning of this strange conjuncture whereby the two came to Hatchstead; yet my guess was not far out, and I hailed the prospect that it gave with a fierce exultation.
It was a boy's trick a very boy's trick. Save that I set down everything I would not tell it. I put my hands to my mouth and bellowed: "Il vient!" An oath broke from Fontelles. I darted into the middle of the road and for a moment stood there laughing again. He had wheeled his horse round, but did not advance towards me. I take it that he was amazed, or, it may be, searching a bewildered memory.
Fontelles uttered an exclamation of joy; he had known Carford, and a friend's aid would put him right with this hasty damsel who denied him even the chance of self-defence. He was aware also that, in spite of his outward devotion to the Duke of Monmouth, Carford was in reality of the French party.
"No, concerning the employment of kings," answered M. de Fontelles. Then he said to me, "We will meet again, before I take my leave of your village." With this he set off at a round pace down the road. I did not doubt that he went to seek Mistress Barbara and ask her pardon. I let him go; he would not hurt her now. I rose myself from the green bank, for I also had work to do.
For the fraction of a moment her dark eyes met mine, then turned away in confusion. "I mean," said I, "is it wise to go with him?" "Of course you meant that," murmured Barbara. "M. de Fontelles will trouble you no more," I remarked, in a tone as calm as though I stated the price of wheat; indeed much calmer than such a vital matter was wont to command at our village inn. "What?" she cried.
He asked me but one question when I had ended: "My Lord Carford knew all this?" "Yes, all of it," said I. "He was privy to all that passed." Engaged in talk, we had not noticed the Vicar's approach. He was at my elbow before I saw him; the large book was under his arm. Fontelles turned to him with a bow. "Sir," said he, "you were right just now." "Concerning the prophecy, sir?"
His quarrel with the Vicar had evaporated in the mists of speculation; Fontelles had no mind to lose his complaint against me in any such manner, but he was a man of ceremony and must needs begin again with me much as he had with the Vicar. Thus obtaining my opportunity, I cut across his preface, saying brusquely: "Well, I am glad that it is the King's employment and not M. de Perrencourt's."
Didn't you hear it from my father?" "I haven't seen my lord. My knowledge of his letter came through the Duke of Monmouth, and although he spoke there of my lady's sickness, I trusted that she had recovered." "My mother cannot travel. It is impossible." He came a step nearer her. "Fontelles will be here to-morrow," he said.
"So M. Colbert tells me," she said with a swift glance at me. "Yet it's not always worth taking." "I keep it, in case it should become so," I answered, for I guessed that Colbert had told her of my encounter with M. de Fontelles; if that were so, she might have a curiosity to see me without the added inducement of Monmouth's malicious stories. "Not if it be a secret? No man keeps that," she cried.
"He desires it should wait?" she asked in a quick tone. "Yes, madame." "I'd have sworn it," said Barbara Quinton. "But with Mr Simon Dale " "With Simon Dale? What concern have you with Simon Dale?" "He has mocked me twice, and I believe hinders me now," returned Fontelles, his hot temper rising again. Barbara clasped her hands, and cried triumphantly, "Go to him, go to him. Heaven is good to me!
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