When the thaw came at last, the laird had the coffin brought again
into the guest-chamber, and there placed on trestles, to wait the
coming of the new Lord Mergwain.
Outstripping the letter that announced his departure, he arrived at
length, and with him his man of business. Lady Joan's heart gave a
small beat of pleasure at sight of him, then lay quiet, sad, and
apprehensive: the cold proper salute he gave her seemed, after the
life she had of late been living, to belong rather to some sunless
world than the realms of humanity. He uttered one commonplace
concerning his father's death, and never alluded to it again;
behaved in a dignified, recognizant manner to the laird, as to an
inferior to whom he was under more obligation than he saw how to
wipe out; and, after the snub with which he met the boy's friendly
approach, took no farther notice of Cosmo. Seated three minutes, he
began to require the laird's assistance towards the removal of the
body; could not be prevailed upon to accept refreshment; had a
messenger dispatched instantly to procure the nearest hearse and
four horses; and that same afternoon started for England, following
the body, and taking his sister with him.
CHAPTER XIX.
AN "INTERLUNAR CAVE."
And so the moon died out of Cosmo's heaven. But it was only the
moon. The sun remained to him--his father--visible type of the
great sun, whose light is too keen for souls, and heart and spirit
only can bear.
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