Page:Georges Eekhoud - Escal Vigor, a novel.djvu/169

Rh Although his affections were monopolised almost exclusively by young Guidon, the Dykgrave aimed at being favourably regarded by everybody. He even pushed magnanimity so far as to endeavour to conciliate the minister. In reply to the denunciations and anathemas of the virulent pastor, he scattered alms freely, ruining himself with gifts of clothing and food for the poor directly dependent on the parish. The minister distributed the money and the other offerings, but was by no means disarmed thereby.

More than once, Henry's friends, the shrimp fishermen and the vagabonds of the Klaarvatsch beach, offered to bring the minister to reason; especially five of them, who were permanently employed at the chateau and formed a sort of bodyguard to Kehlmark. Grandsons of old-time wreckers, casual dikemen, plunderers of jetsam—the painter often made them pose and amused himself with their wrestling and their knife-play deadened-edged, or perhaps, he would confess them, enjoying with Guidon their rough language and the coarse-mouthed stories of their prowesses. These hulking big chaps, incorrigible skulkers, who had 10