Page:Georges Eekhoud - Escal Vigor, a novel.djvu/255

Rh Claudie's private plan was completely to isolate the Dykgrave, to set all Smaragdis against him, and then, when he should be reduced to impotence, she would appear to him like a providence. She would even foment a quarrel between Kehlmark and the Burgomaster and take back from him the young Guidon.

Already Kehlmark had handed in his resignation as Dykgrave and abandoned also his presidentships of associations and of social clubs, ceasing to interest himself in the community's doings. No further largesses; no more fêtes. Nothing more was needed to make him lose two-thirds of his popularity.

Claudie had become reconciled to the two sisters of her father without the latter's knowledge. Authorised and spurred on by their niece, they forced their brother to buckle under. "Thou must break with the master of Escal-Vigor, or thou'lt cause us to disinherit thy dear Claudie!"

Govaertz would perhaps have put his back up, but he had no right to compromise the future of his children. Claudie came to the rescue, declaring she no longer wished to become Countess. Moreover, she attacked her father on his vain side. Since the Count