I went to her chamber to bid her sleep
well, and together we knelt before the crucifix. 'Let us repeat,'
whispered my mother, 'those holy words of comfort which Father Gervaise
ever bid his penitents to say, as they kneeled before the dying
Redeemer.' 'Mother,' said I, 'I know them not.' 'Thou wert so young,
my son,' she said, 'when Father Gervaise last was with us.' 'Tell me
the words,' I said; 'I should like well to have them from thy lips.'
So, lifting her eyes to the dead Christ, my mother said, with awe and
reverence in her voice and a deep gladness on her face:
'He--ever--liveth--to make intercession for us.' And, in the dawn of
the new day, her spirit passed."
The Bishop laid his hand upon the Knight's bowed head. "My son," he
said, "of all the women I have known, thy gentle mother bore the most
beautiful and saintly character. I would there were more such as she,
in our British homes."
"Father," said Hugh, brokenly, "knew you how much she had to bear? My
father's fierce feuds with all, shut her up at last to utter
loneliness. His anger against Holy Church and his contempt of Her
priests, cost my mother the comfort of your visits. His life-long
quarrel with Earl Eustace de Norelle caused that our families, though
dwelling within a three hours' ride, were allowed no intercourse.
Never did I enter Castle Norelle until I rode up from the South, with a
message for Mora from the King. And, to this day, Mora has never been
within the courtyard of my home! When we were betrothed, I dared not
tell my parents--though Earl Eustace and his Countess both were
dead--lest my father's wrath might reach Mora, when I had gone.
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