CHAPTER XXXIV


Every sort of emotion convulsed the new Lady Tancred's heart, as they
began to get near the park, with the village nestling close to its gates
on the far side. So this was the home of her love and her lord; and they
ought to be holding hands, and approaching it and the thought of their
fond life together there with full hearts,--well, her heart was full
enough, but only of anguish and pain. For Tristram, afraid of the
smallest unbending, maintained a freezing attitude of contemptuous
disdain, which she could not yet pluck up enough courage to break
through to tell him she knew how unjust and unkind she had been.

And presently they came through cheering yokels to the South Lodge, the
furthest away from the village, and so under a triumphant arch of
evergreens, with banners floating and mottoes of "God Bless the Bride
and Bridegroom" and "Health and Long Life to Lord and Lady Tancred." And
now Tristram did take her hand and, indeed, put his arm round her as
they both stood up for a moment in the car, while raising his hat and
waving it gayly he answered graciously:

"My friends, Lady Tancred and I thank you so heartily for your kind
wishes and welcome home."

Then they sat down, and the car went on, and his face became rigid
again, as he let go her hand.

And at the next arch by the bridge, the same thing, only more