Jeffray, finding himself little the worse for Dan’s cudgelling, had hardly risen, dressed, and shaved himself with one of Isaac’s razors, when Peter Gladden appeared with the patriarch before Ursula’s cottage, inquiring for the person of his master. The Lady Letitia herself was waiting for Richard in her coach below the Beacon Rock. Jeffray tied his cravat, buckled on his sword, and went out to speak with Peter Gladden in the kitchen. Isaac Grimshaw was there also, humble, benignant and subservient. Bess, seated on a settle by the fire, was mending the gown that had been torn in the scuffle with Dan yesterday.
Richard shook Isaac Grimshaw’s hand, bowed to old Ursula, and laid three guineas surreptitiously upon the table.
“I thank you for all your kindness,” he said, with a glance that was meant for Bess.
Isaac, bowing, and rubbing his hands together, declared that they were proud to have been able to serve such a gentleman.
“As for the money, your honor,” he said, “we cannot take the gold. What we have given—we have given gladly. Eh, dame, ain’t that so?”
Old Ursula, whose eyes had twinkled at the sight of gold, courtesied and confessed a little sourly that “Squire Jeffray was very welcome.”
Richard blushed, looked from one to the other, and repocketed his money.
“I shall not forget your kindness,” he said, simply. “If I can ever serve you, Grimshaw, remember what I said to you last night.”
Peter Gladden had gone to saddle and bridle Richard’s mare in the cow-house, and Jeffray proceeded to shake hands again very graciously with Isaac and old Ursula. His heart had been touched by what appeared to him to be simple and unsophisticated kindness; he had not learned to look below the surface of life as yet. He hesitated before Bess, who had risen and was standing looking at her hood that hung upon the key of the linen-press.
“Will you show us the path through the woods?” he asked her.
Isaac was for offering his services, but a gesture from old Ursula restrained him.
“The lass will be proud,” quoth the dame, amiably. “I would go with ye myself, sir, but for the rheumatics. Bess, get your cloak, lass, and go with the gentleman.” And in a whisper into the girl’s ear: “If he is for giving you the guineas, girl, take ’em, and don’t forget it.”