Page:Georges Eekhoud - Escal Vigor, a novel.djvu/256

232 had returned to the country Michael Govaertz had counted for nothing. He was only Burgomaster in name.

Govaertz ended by throwing himself into the arms of the minister.

It was quite an event when the father and daughter re-entered the church.

The pastor thundered with more virulence than ever against the master of Escal-Vigor and his concubine. During the service Claudie contemplated with eager curiosity the frescoes representing the martyrdom of St. Olfgar.

In returning to Bomberg's bosom the Burgomaster broke for good and all with Kehlmark. Govaertz, still by the advice of Claudie, accentuated this rupture by recalling Guidon; but the latter had meanwhile attained his majority, and he accorded his father's request the same sort of welcome he had formerly dealt out to the appeal of the minister.

The youngster's cheeky insubordination certainly surprised Claudie, but did not otherwise awaken her suspicions.

As for the people at Escal-Vigor, they lived solely to themselves. Since the dismissal of Landrillon Kehlmark had ceased