faith plighted to each other a short
time before our quarrel. 'Twas the bit of Scotch blood in thee that
brought us to contentious wrangle. I 'minded thee at the time thou
wouldst grieve for thy hot words, and 'tis a balm I send thee for thy
grieved heart; 'tis my baby Kate'--Baby, baby of course I thought
her so and sent her to a nurse's nookery at the top of the towers
to silence the wench's squawkings, and gave Stephen the care of the
freshest young heifer, that the youngster might not lack for proper
food, 'now under her nurse's care in the Ursuline Convent at Quebec.
The child has been environed with all that is pure and good, and will
come to thee with the sweet incense of the cloister clinging about
her. I have heard but once of thee, and 'twas that thy young wife died
leaving thee without heirs. If such be so, thou wilt find a solace in
my baby. Guard her as thine own. I have only enough gold to send her
with her nurse to thy protection.' She will be obliged to come to me
for all things, and I will spoil my own pleasure by giving her before
she asks. 'In my epistle to Janet Wadham I spoke of moneys and estates
being in thy hands. 'Tis a lie that will bring to thy mind more
vividly than aught else my personality--_suppressio veri_; but if thou
findest a like propensity in my babe, thou wilt deal gently but firmly
with her for its correction. I give into thy keeping more than house,
lands or titles. I would direct clemency toward my beloved servant;
she has proven most faithful. My wife truly loved her and at her
child's birth was constantly tended by the vigilant Janet; and 'twas
her desire she should remain always with the babe. Enclosed thou will
find a letter to be given to my daughter upon her arrival to thy care;
'tis a letter of both welcome and farewell. Some day thou must tell
her I am gone on my last journey, tell her when she is surrounded by
pleasant distractions that she may not grieve. She knows naught of
trouble, neither would I have her know. 'Tis possible she may have
some religious ideas that are not identical with thine. She may be
laden with all sorts of shrines, picture-books, candles, crosses and
beads; these religion's playthings thou of sterner mould wilt hardly
consider. My last wish and the one of greatest import to my child is
that thou find for her a spouse of rank and fortune; 'tis my desire
that she marry early to such an one. Ah, Cedric, if thou had hadst a
son, their union would hav