‘I hold myself bound, as a man of good faith and honour, to do so,’ said Fairford.
‘Well, I trust you,’ said the father. ‘I will now tell you that an express, dispatched by me last night, has, I hear, brought Redgauntlet to a spot many miles nearer this place, where he will not find it safe to attempt any violence on your friend, should he be rash enough to follow the advice of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees rather than my commands. We now understand each other.’
He extended his hand towards Alan, who was about to pledge his faith in the usual form by grasping it with his own, when the father drew back hastily. Ere Alan had time to comment upon this repulse, a small side-door, covered with tapestry, was opened; the hangings were drawn aside, and a lady, as if by sudden apparition, glided into the apartment. It was neither of the Misses Arthuret, but a woman in the prime of life, and in the full-blown expansion of female beauty, tall, fair, and commanding in her aspect. Her locks, of paly gold, were taught to fall over a brow, which, with the stately glance of the large, open, blue eyes, might have become Juno herself; her neck and bosom were admirably formed, and of a dazzling whiteness. She was rather inclined to EMBONPOINT, but not more than became her age, of apparently thirty years. Her step was that of a queen, but it was of Queen Vashti, not Queen Esther—the bold and commanding, not the retiring beauty.
Father Buonaventure raised himself on the couch, angrily, as if displeased by this intrusion. ‘How now, madam,’ he said, with some sternness; ‘why have we the honour of your company?’
‘Because it is my pleasure,’ answered the lady, composedly.
‘Your pleasure, madam!’ he repeated in the same angry tone.
‘My pleasure, sir,’ she continued, ‘which always keeps exact pace with my duty. I had heard you were unwell—let me hope it is only business which produces this seclusion.’
‘I am well,’ he replied; ‘perfectly well, and I thank you for your care—but we are not alone, and this young man’—
‘That young man?’ she said, bending her large and serious eye on Alan Fairford, as if she had been for the first time aware of his presence,—‘may I ask who he is?’
‘Another time, madam; you shall learn his history after he is gone. His presence renders it impossible for me to explain further.’