"And what became of him?"
"He may be dead, for what I know; but he was alive when your dear father died, for he wrote to me, poor fellow! I have fancied once or twice since then, that he has written to his father, for Sir Aymer got a letter one day which put him into a terrible state of excitement, and he tore it in two without opening it, put it in a cover, and sent it back, but I did not see the address."
"Then you don't know where he lives?" asked Villiers.
"I am not even sure that he is still alive," was his mother's answer. She was not going to say that, if alive, Guy Egerton was in Ireland, when there was a chance of Villiers going thither.
"What an old Turk Sir Aymer is!" said Villiers, presently.
"Well, but my dear, the marriage was a very great mistake, to call it by no harsher name. Your father was under the impression that Guy had been in some way taken in, for he did not seem very fond of her, and he said she could neither read nor write."
Which was exactly the reverse of what Guy had said; but Lady Anne really believed that she was speaking the truth.
"But, for pity's sake, why should Sir Aymer conclude that because his son made a fool of himself, I should do the same? There never was any one less fond of low company than I am; and as to marrying beneath me, why, I am not that kind of fellow in the least," said Villiers drawing up his slight person, and looking very dignified.
Lady Anne turned away to conceal a smile.
"You are so like poor Guy that you never allow your grandfather to forget him, my love. Do try to have a little patience with him."