have had a better boat; and they started with wind and tide in their
favour. We shall hear in a few weeks from him. Are you not pleased,
mother?"

"It is too late, Joris;--twenty years too late. And I wish not to go to
England. Very unhappy was I in that cold, grey country. Very happy am I
here."

"But you must have expected this change?"

"Not until your cousin died was there any thought of such a thing. And
long before that, we had built and begun to love dearly this home. I
wish, then, it had been God's will that your cousin had not died."

"My father--"

"Ah, Joris, your father has always longed in his heart for England. Like
a weaning babe that never could be weaned was he. In many ways, he has
lately shown me that he felt himself to be a future English earl. And
thou too? Wilt thou become an Englishman? Then this fair home I have
made for thee will forget thy voice and thy footstep. Woe is me! I have
planted and planned, for whom I know not."

"You have planned and planted for your Joris. I swear to you that I like
England as little as you do. I despise the tomfoolery of courts and
ceremonies. I count an earl no better than any other honourable
gentleman. I desire most of all to marry the woman I love, and live here
in the home that reminds me of you wherever I turn. I want your likeness
on the great stairway, and in all the rooms; so that those who may never
see your face may love you; and say, 'How good she looks! How beautiful