There was nothing to dim the occasion. Every one,
Far and near, took the opportunity to show that ill-thoughts and
ill-feelings were forever buried, and Elizabeth and Richard were feted
with especial honor.
"Few women would hev done so well by t' land and t' family," admitted
even Lord Eltham, "and if I wasn't so old and feeble, I'd go and tell
her so; and to be foreign-born, that Mr. Fontaine has been varry
square, that he hes. He shows t' English blood in him."
"Ay, it's hard to wear Yorkshire out. It bears a deal o' waterin',
and is still strong and straight-for'ard," answered Whaley.
"Now he'll hev to wed and settle down."
"He'll do that. I've seen a deal o' him, and I've noticed that he has
neither eyes nor ears but for our little lass, a varry bonny lass she
is!"
"It'll be Alice Horton, happen?"
"Nay, it isn't. It's his cousin, Bessie Fontaine. She's but a girl
yet, but she's t' varry image o' her mother, just what Elizabeth Hallam
was at sixteen--happen only a bit slighter and more delicate-looking."
"And no wonder, Whaley. To be brought up i' a place like that New
Orleans. Why-a! they do say that t' winter weather there is like our
haymakin' time! Poor thing! She'll get a bit o' color here, I'se
warrant."
The Yorkshire lawyer had seen even into a love affair, with clear eyes.
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