Page:Georges Eekhoud - Escal Vigor, a novel.djvu/163

Rh master to "Madame the Housekeeper," the noble Blandine. It is certain that the Count always seemed more taken up with him than with the woman who loved him. Guidon was inwardly proud of the predilection of which he was the object, and by his attentions to the young woman, it might have been supposed that he wished to win her pardon for the excessive part which he played in the master's life.

Guidon guessed and felt rightly: Henry never revealed himself or opened his mind freely except to his disciple. With others he kept himself reserved, nor did his kindly words assume the caressing tone, the unction and smoothness, which characterised his outpourings to his favourite boy.

Blandine had never seen him so gay and radiant as since the time he had undertaken the education and charged himself with the destiny of this young ragamuffin. However much deference and devotion the lad showed towards the lady, he was unable to disguise his joy at having become the principal and constant care of the master of Escal-Vigor. He showed no malice, only a simple joy; nay, he even grew tender with regard to the almost forsaken woman, and with the egotism