‘You shall come to Cherbury and live with us,’ said Lady Annabel.’  You know you love Cherbury, and you shall find it a home, a real home.’

He pressed her hand to his lips; the hand was covered with his tears.

’We will go to Cherbury to-morrow, dear Plantagenet; remaining here will only make you sad.’

‘I will never leave Cadurcis again while my mother is in this house,’ he said, in a firm and serious voice.  And then, after a moment’s pause, he added, ‘I wish to know when the burial is to take place.’

‘We will ask Dr. Masham,’ replied Lady Annabel.  ’Come, let us go to him; come, my own child.’

He permitted himself to be led away.  They descended to the small apartment where Lady Annabel had been previously sitting.  They found the Doctor there; he rose and pressed Plantagenet’s hand with great emotion.  They made room for him at the fire between them; he sat in silence, with his gaze intently fixed upon the decaying embers, yet did not quit his hold of Lady Annabel’s hand.  He found it a consolation to him; it linked him to a being who seemed to love him.  As long as he held her hand he did not seem quite alone in the world.

Now nobody spoke; for Lady Annabel felt that Cadurcis was in some degree solaced; and she thought it unwise to interrupt the more composed train of his thoughts.  It was, indeed, Plantagenet himself who first broke silence.

‘I do not think I can go to bed, Lady Annabel,’ he said.  ’The thought of this night is terrible to me.  I do not think it ever can end.  I would much sooner sit up in this room.’

‘Nay! my child, sleep is a great consoler; try to go to bed, love.’

‘I should like to sleep in my mother’s room,’ was his strange reply.  ’It seems to me that I could sleep there.  And if I woke in the night, I should like to see her.’

Lady Annabel and the Doctor exchanged looks.

‘I think,’ said the Doctor, ’you had better sleep in my room, and then, if you wake in the night, you will have some one to speak to.  You will find that a comfort.’

‘Yes, that you will,’ said Lady Annabel.  ’I will go and have the sofa bed made up in the Doctor’s room for you.  Indeed that will be the very best plan.’

So at last, but not without a struggle, they persuaded Cadurcis to retire.  Lady Annabel embraced him tenderly when she bade him good night; and, indeed, he felt consoled by her affection.

As nothing could persuade Plantagenet to leave the abbey until his mother was buried, Lady Annabel resolved to take up her abode there, and she sent the next morning for Venetia.  There were a great many arrangements to make about the burial and the mourning; and Lady Annabel and Dr. Masham were obliged, in consequence, to go the next morning to Southport; but they delayed their departure until the arrival of Venetia, that Cadurcis might not be left alone.

The meeting between himself and Venetia was a very sad one, and yet her companionship was a great solace.  Venetia urged every topic that she fancied could reassure his spirits, and upon the happy home he would find at Cherbury.