"Do you like going walks with your father?"
"Oh, don't we!" An electric smile ran through the whole circle. It told enough of the blessed home-tale.
Lady Caroline laughed a sharp laugh. "Eh, my dear, I see how things are. You don't regret having married John Halifax, the tanner?"
"Regret!"
"Nay, be not impetuous. I always said he was a noble fellow—so does the earl now. And William—you can't think what a hero your husband is to William."
"Lord Ravenel?"
"Ay, my little brother that was—growing a young man now—a frightful bigot, wanting to make our house as Catholic as when two or three of us lost our heads for King James. But he is a good boy—poor William! I had rather not talk about him."
Ursula inquired courteously if her Cousin Richard were well.
"Bah!—I suppose he is; he is always well. His late astonishing honesty to Mr. Halifax cost him a fit of gout—mais n'importe. If they meet, I suppose all things will be smooth between them?"
"My husband never had any ill-feeling to Mr. Brithwood."