Ethalwood listened to all his unprincipled counsellor had to say, and pointed out to him that Chanet was desperately and madly in love with Theresa.
At this the old Frenchman shrugged his shoulders and shook his head in a most significant manner.
When the chevalier had taken his departure Ethalwood felt in some measure relieved. While he was with him he lent an attentive ear to all he had to say, and he was inclined to believe that he was tolerably right so far as the main facts were concerned, but despite this he could not bring himself to believe that the young mountaineer was playing a double game, or acting as a subordinate to others. It appeared to be altogether foreign to his nature; besides, Agatha herself had told him that Chanet was very much in earnest, and this declaration was proved but too plainly by subsequent events.
“I cannot believe all he says,” murmured Ethalwood, “but nevertheless there is much truth in many of his observations. Doubtless he is enabled to see things much more clearly than I can myself. He’s a sharp-sighted old gentleman, without a doubt, and he hasn’t been too particular at any period of his life. I wonder what the proud old earl could have seen in him to make him his companion. I suppose he did do so? I never heard him mention his name, though. But, Lord bless me! how many years ago must it have been?”
Lord Ethalwood was restless and fidgety—so much so, that he could not remain any longer at his own chateau; so he determined upon paying Madame Trieste another visit. He longed to learn something about the fair Theresa, and was a little piqued that no messenger had been sent by Madame Trieste to inquire how he was, or bring him an invitation.
As he was proceeding in the direction of madame’s house he was met by the chevalier, who was being driven along in his old lumbering post-chaise.
“Going to the widow’s—are you?” said the chevalier—“good, excellent! I am going close to where she lives. Jump in, and we’ll drive there. That is close to her house; you can then alight, and walk the remainder of the distance alone.”
Ethalwood availed himself of the offer, and drove within half a mile or so of his destination. He alighted and walked rapidly on. When he presented himself he found Madame Trieste in her garden. She was alone, and as he passed through the gate she raised her eyes with such a look of astonishment as to almost imply that she did not recognise him.
This a little disconcerted him, and he felt half disposed to turn back and go away in dudgeon. The probability is that he would have done so had not the widow advanced a few steps and exclaimed in a tone of surprise—
“What! my lord? Well, you do astonish me.”