"Because I was not sure of my facts. I suppose Miss Preston has been discreet and told you nothing? She could give you particulars, for it was through her brother that I learnt of the existence of my son. I had reason to believe that my wife left me to run off with him; but I discovered that it was to his great friend she went." "And is she dead?" Adrienne asked in a dazed sort of way. "She died eight years ago, three months after she left me. Caught a chill in Florence, and the boy spent two years of his life there with his foster-mother, who returned to America with him later. That is his history. His foster-mother was a superior woman, had been nurse to his mother before, and so has trained him in manners and morals. He misses her, of course, and old Henriette here doesn't understand children." "But you won't keep him here? He must come to the Château," said Adrienne quickly. "My plans are not made yet," replied Guy gravely. Adrienne got up from her seat, and gently put the child off her lap. "I must go now. I hear the little chapel bell ringing in the village and Aunt Cecily will be wondering where I am. May I congratulate you, Cousin Guy, upon having someone of your own to love and care for? We shall see you to-morrow morning." "Yes. If you like to prepare your aunt for my news, you can do so. If not, I will break it to her when I come." As she sped away homewards her thoughts were in confusion. Never had she imagined her cousin to be a married man—a widower! And she resented his reserve on this point. When he had spoken to her, before leaving for America, was it this sudden bit of news, this knowledge that he had a small child somewhere, which made him do it? Did he suddenly feel he must have a home and a woman to take care of it and of the child? "He seems so cold, so passionless, as if he has no love left in him, and yet I suppose his unhappy experience has embittered him. Cousin Guy with a child! Well, it is an astounding state of things. What on earth will he do with the poor little soul? I'm afraid Aunt Cecily won't welcome him." With such thoughts as these, she wended her way homewards. CHAPTER XIV THE NOTARY'S DEFEAT "AUNT CECILY, did you know that Cousin Guy was married?" The Countess looked her astonishment as Adrienne put this question to her after dinner. "No; but I should never be surprised at anything he did," she said, recovering her equanimity very quickly. "He is very reserved and secretive. Who has been talking to you?" "He has. I think he will tell you about it himself to-morrow. I don't know the rights of it, but it evidently was not a happy marriage, as she left him very soon, and died a few months later."