by further blood-letting. And for the squire, let him know that I
expect it of him that he shall eat, and show himself a man!"

So saying, the great lady departed, escorted as far as the avenue
gate by Richard Talbot, and leaving the family gratified by her
condescension, and not allowing to themselves how much their feelings
were chafed.




CHAPTER III. THE CAPTIVE.



Death and sorrow seemed to have marked the house of Bridgefield, for
the old lady never rallied after the blood-letting enjoined by the
Countess's medical science, and her husband, though for some months
able to creep about the house, and even sometimes to visit the
fields, had lost his memory, and became more childish week by week.

Richard Talbot was obliged to return to his ship at the end of the
month, but as soon as she was laid up for the winter he resigned his
command, and returned home, where he was needed to assume the part of
master. In truth he became actually master before the next spring,
for his father took to his bed with the first winter frosts, and in
spite of the duteous cares lavished upon him by his son and daughter-
in-law, passed from his bed to his grave at the Christmas feast.
Richard Talbot inherited house and lands, with the undefined sense of
feudal obligation to the head of his name, and ere long he was called