Like most unlearned people, Sybella was positive in proportion to her ignorance.
"Where else could the damp come from? And damp is the worst thing possible for a chill. If only you had told me sooner, Pearce!"
"Sir Cyril didn't give me no time, ma'am. He just said he was going to get a breath of air, and then he was off like a shot."
"Imprudent boy! Those Trevelyans again!" sighed Sybella, too much agitated to be circumspect.
Cyril had to pay for his wilfulness—not in the coin of ill-health, but in that of endurance. Sybella made known her views to him very fully on the enormity of his conduct; and a lecture from Sybella was apt to be, not loud perhaps, but long.
He did not get inflammation of the lungs, as she had foretold, and in a few days the cold vanished. Yet consequences even more momentous flowed from the doings of those two days. Thenceforward there were changed relations between the aunt and nephew. A slowly-widening chasm appeared, separating the two. Unquestioning submission on the part of Cyril ceased; and a struggle for authority on the part of Sybella began.
[CHAPTER V.]
IN THE GORGE AGAIN.
"But 'tis done—all words are idle—
Words from me are vainer still,
But the thoughts we cannot bridle
Force their way without the will."
BYRON.
ONCE more Jem and Jean were in the gorge, not rushing headlong down the steep path, but walking steadily up. Jean could have raced as lightly the one way as the other; only she held herself in for the sake of her companion. Jem was overworked and out of condition. He had come to Dulveriford for rest, arriving late the evening before.