The Haute Noblesse Part 130

"Is anything wrong?" he asked excitedly.

She bowed her head, and for the moment could not speak.

"Aunt Marguerite?"

"Yes. I was reading to her, and you know her way, Harry; half mockingly she was telling me that I should never gain the pure French accent, when she seemed to change suddenly, and gasped out your name. Louy had not gone home; I was relieving her, as I often do now, and she is with her aunt. Leslie has gone to fetch Mr Vine, who is down on the sh.o.r.e with Uncle Luke."

A few minutes later Harry was in the old lady's room, the doctor making way for him to approach the bed, about which the rest of the family were grouped.

"There," she said sharply, "you need not wait. I want to speak to Harry."

He bent down to place his arm beneath the feeble neck, and she smiled up at him with the ruling pa.s.sion still strong even in death, and her words came very faintly; but he heard them all.

"Remember, Harry, the hope of our family rests on you. We are the des Vignes, say what they will. Now marry--soon--some good, true woman, one of the _Haute n.o.blesse_."

"Yes, aunt, I will."

An hour later she was peacefully asleep.

"Closed in death," said Harry Vine as he laid his hand reverently across the withered lids; "but her eyes must be open now, father, to the truth."

There was to be a quiet little dinner at Leslie's about a fortnight later, and after a walk down through the churchyard, the party were going up the steep cliff path. Leslie and his handsome young wife were on ahead; the old men coming slowly toiling on behind as Harry stopped with Madelaine in the well-known sheltered niche.

They stood gazing out at the sea, stretching as it were into infinity, and as they gazed they went on with their conversation, talking calmly of the quaint old lady's prejudices and ways.

"Did you hear her last words?" said Harry gravely.

"Yes."

The look which accompanied the answer was frank and calm. It seemed to lack emotion, but there was a depth of patient truth and trust therein which told of enduring faith.

"She would have me marry soon--some good, true woman, one of the _Haute n.o.blesse_."

"Yes; it would be better so."

"I have loved one of the _Haute n.o.blesse_ for seven years as a weak, foolish boy--seven years as a trusting man--and she has not changed.

Maddy, is my reward to come at last?"

As Madelaine placed her hands calmly in those extended to her she seemed without emotion still; but there was a joyous light in her brightening eyes, and then a deep flush suffused her cheeks, as two words were spoken by one of the trio of old men who had slowly toiled up toward where they stood.

"Thank G.o.d?"

It was George Vine who spoke, and the others seemed to look "_Amen_."

THE END.