Page:The Father Confessor, Stories of Danger and Death.djvu/189

Rh bright-coloured gowns and cheery faces. All the village, old and young, had come to make a holiday within the park's hospitable gates. The servants of the hall had laid, unchecked, great tables of food and ale for the village guests. They came singing and laughing to the front of the house, and, seeing the mistress upon the balcony, they called for cheers for her. She faced them, white and unsmiling. Some, seeing her expression, remained silent. She raised her hand for quiet as they crowded before her.

"Before you go to your games and feasting," she said, "there is something I must say to you. The young heir"——the people cheered at the mention of him.

"The young man whom you know as my son——" But she saw the crowd was not listening. On the outskirts there was some disturbance, and those nearer were asking what it was, and what was wrong. She thought she heard some one beg her to go aside; then the crowd parted, making a lane, through which she saw a crowd of men approaching.

"The young heir, whom you knew as my son——" She raised her voice, then saw what