"I must see Susan Meynell's heir," he said to himself; "I must give him
clearly to understand that to me he owes the discovery of his claims, and
that in this affair the Frenchman Fleurus is no more than a paid agent."
Book the Fourth.
GUSTAVE IN ENGLAND.
CHAPTER I.
HALCYON DAYS.
Once having offered up the fondest desires of her own heart on the
shrine of duty, Diana Paget was not a person to repent herself of the
pious sacrifice. After that Christmas night on which she had knelt at
Charlotte's feet to confess her sad secret, and to resign all claim to
the man she had loved so foolishly, so tenderly, with such a romantic
and unselfish devotion, Miss Paget put away all thought of the past from
her heart and mind. Heart and mind seemed empty and joyless without
those loved tenants, though the tenants had been only fair wraiths of
dreams that were dead. There was a sense of something missing in her
life--a blank, dull calm, which was at first very painful. But for
Charlotte's sake she was careful to hide all outward token of
despondency, and the foolish grief, put down by so strong a hand, was
ere long well-nigh stifled.
Those dark days which succeeded Christmas were a period of halcyon peace
for Valentine and Charlotte. The accepted lover came to the villa when he
pleased, but was still careful not to encroach on the license allowed
him.
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