"The Lord hath triumphed gloriously—" and he leaned forward to kiss
Detricand's hand.
But Death intervened, and his lips fell instead upon the red cross on
Detricand's breast, as he sank forward lifeless.
That night, after Lorenzo Dow was laid in his grave, Detricand read the little black leather-covered journal bequeathed to him. Of the years of his captivity the records were few; the book was chiefly concerned with his career in Jersey. Detricand read page after page, more often with a smile than not; yet it was the smile of one who knew life and would scarce misunderstand the eccentric and honest soul of the Reverend Lorenzo Dow.
Suddenly, however, he started, for he came upon these lines:
I have, in great privacy and with halting of spirit, married, this
twenty-third of January, Mr. Philip d'Avranche of His Majesty's ship
"Narcissus," and Mistress Guida Landresse de Landresse, both of this
Island of Jersey; by special license of the Bishop of Winchester.
To this was added in comment:
Unchurchmanlike, and most irregular. But the young gentleman's tongue is gifted, and he pressed his cause heartily. Also Mr. Shoreham of the Narcissus—"Mad Shoreham of Galway" his father was called—I knew him—added his voice to the request also. Troubled in conscience thereby, yet I did marry the twain gladly, for I think a worthier maid never lived than this same Mistress Guida Landresse de Landresse, of the ancient family of the de Mauprats. Yet I like not secrecy, though it be but for a month or two months—on my vow, I like it not for one hour.
Note: At leisure read of the family history of the de Mauprats and
the d'Avranches.
N.: No more secret marriages nor special licenses—most uncanonical
privileges!
N.: For ease of conscience write to His Grace at Lambeth upon the
point.