Both were simply, even humbly, clad, in heavy mourning.
The younger, after a pause of silence during which both gazed out at the sun among the green with eyes that no longer kindled to such a sight, remarked—
"Bridget Cromwell is married to-day."
"Yes," replied the other; "they say it is a sure sign of a general peace."
The young gentlewoman made no reply to this remark, but glanced down at the wedding-ring on her fair thin hand.
"I wonder," she cried fiercely, "if she is as happy as I was when I was a bride. I wonder if she will ever come to be as unhappy as I am now!"
Lady Strafford did not reply, and her companion, with the tears smarting up into eyes already worn with weeping, continued—
"I could find it in my heart to wish that the rebel's daughter might find herself, at my years, a childless widow!"
"Hush, Jane," said the Countess; "this is not charity!"