This
man and maid followed their mistress in the sad journey upon which she
was bent. They treated her with unalterable respect. They never could be
got to see that her conduct was wrong. When Barnes's counsel subsequently
tried to impugn their testimony, they dared him; and hurt the plaintiff's
case very much. For the balance had weighed over; and it was Barnes
himself who caused what now ensued; and what we learned in a very few
hours afterwards from Newcome, where it was the talk of the whole
neighbourhood.
Florac and I, as yet ignorant of all that was occurring, met Barnes near
his own lodge-gate riding in the direction of Newcome, as we were
ourselves returning to Rosebury. The Prince de Moncontour, who was
driving, affably saluted the Baronet, who gave us a scowling recognition,
and rode on, his groom behind him. "The figure of the garcon," says
Florac, as our acquaintance passed, "is not agreeable. Of pale, he has
become livid. I hope these two men will not meet, or evil will come!"
Evil to Barnes there might be, Florac's companion thought, who knew the
previous little affairs between Barnes and his uncle and cousin; and that
Lord Highgate was quite able to take care of himself.
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