very pleasant feature in that English home, where he had been far
happier than in the uncertainties of Chateau Leurre, between his
naughty playfellow, his capricious mother, and morose father. If
in England his lot was to be cast, Lucy was acquiesced in willingly
as a portion of that lot.




CHAPTER IV. TITHONUS



A youth came riding towards a palace gate,
And from the palace came a child of sin
And took him by the curls and led him in!
Where sat a company with heated eyes.
Tennyson, A VISION OF SIN


It was in the month of June that Berenger de Ribaumont first came
in sight of Paris. His grandfather had himself begun by taking him
to London and presenting him to Queen Elizabeth, from whom the
lad's good mien procured him a most favourable reception. She
willingly promised that on which Lord Walwyn's heart was set,
namely, that his title and rank should be continued to his
grandson; and an ample store of letter of recommendation to Sir
Francis Walsingham, the Ambassador, and all others who could be of
service in the French court, were to do their utmost to provide him
with a favourable reception there.