him to France all would have gone
right with him. God bless, God Almighty bless you, child. Be of good
heart. I will write you everything that takes place, and, as you say, we
shall soon meet. Indeed, after to-night,' she added in a more mournful
tone, 'we have naught else to think of but of meeting. I fear it is very
late. Your father will be surprised at my absence.' She rose from his
bed and walked up and down the room several times in silence; then again
approaching him, she folded him in her arms and quitted the chamber
without again speaking.

CHAPTER X.

_The Advantage of Being a Favourite Grandson_.

THE exhausted Ferdinand found consolation in sleep. When he woke the
dawn was just breaking. He dressed and went forth to look, for the
last time, on his hereditary woods. The air was cold, but the sky was
perfectly clear, and the beams of the rising sun soon spread over the
blue heaven. How fresh, and glad, and sparkling was the surrounding
scene! With what enjoyment did he inhale the soft and renovating breeze!
The dew quivered on the grass, and the carol of the wakening birds,
roused from their slumbers by the spreading warmth, resounded from the
groves. From the green knoll on which he stood he beheld the clustering
village of Armine, a little agricultural settlement formed of the
peasants alone who lived on the estate. The smoke began to rise in blue
curls from the cottage chimneys, and the church clock struck the hour of
five. It seemed to Ferdinand that those labourers were far happier than
he, since the setting sun would find them still at Armine: happy, happy
Armine!

The sound of carriage wheels roused him from his reverie. The fatal
moment had arrived. He hastened to the gate according to his promise,
to bid farewell to Glastonbury. The good old man was up. He pressed his
pupil to his bosom, and blessed him with a choking voice.

'Dearest and kindest friend!' murmured Ferdinand. Glastonbury placed
round his neck a small golden crucifix that had belonged to Lady
Barbara. 'Wear it next your heart, my child,' said he; 'it will remind
you of your God, and of us all.' Ferdinand quitted the tower with a
thousand blessings.

When he came in sight of the Place he saw his father standing by the
carriage, which was already packed. Ferdinand ran into the house to get
the card which had been left on the hall table for him by his mother.
He ran over the list with the old and faithful domestic, and sh