The Maidens of Walsingham - стр. 23

There was not a word of falsehood in his speech: no matter how beautiful Cassie's appearance, he saw in her only a sick child in need of an adult's care.

– Dominic, your nobility sometimes makes me mad," said the earl, who felt quite uncomfortable after his friend's sermon. – There's nothing wrong with having a pet.

– Better not to have a pet, but a good wife! – replied the Viscount.

– It is too early for me to marry.

– But I hope marriage will sooner or later rid your mind of filth and low desires.

– I have said before, and I will say it again: I am only interested in this peasant girl as a specimen of beauty. You will not forbid me to admire a woman's beauty, will you? – Looking at his friend, the Count said seriously.

– Of course not. But don't lie: I have known you for a long time and know how to recognise your feelings, – the viscount answered him seriously. – Have pity on the foolish girl: having seduced her, you will soon get fed up with her and leave her, and her life will be broken. You know very well what gossip is, especially gossip in this religion-obsessed village. The poor disgraced girl and her family will be brought to the dust.

– You're right, my friend, absolutely right. But I think I have inadvertently, without wishing it, aroused the girl's feelings for me, and I don't want to burden myself with them. I should leave.

– That is an excellent solution," said the Viscount, without sarcasm.

The Count of Draymore thought seriously about his friend's words. But he feared the consequences, not for Christine, but for his own person and his reputation in high society. The Count thought that the peasant woman might start a rumour that he was in love with her, or worse, so he decided to leave.

– I'll leave tomorrow, but I'll leave Mr. Pilough in charge of the church rebuilding. You can stay here as long as you like," the Count announced his intentions.

– Why should I stay? – The viscount was sincerely surprised at his friend's words.

– But you are interested in the fate of the youngest Glowford, aren't you?

– I am afraid I cannot help her here, but I shall leave Mr. Morris to see to her recovery," said the Viscount. – The pastor stubbornly refuses my help, and I cannot act without his consent.

– Then we leave tomorrow," said the Count of Draymore.

The Count was pleasantly relieved when he realised that he would no longer see the beautiful Christine and, far from temptation, would forget about her.

Viscount Wilworth was also glad to return to London, but for other reasons. Now he was calm for the honour of Christine Glowford, who had had the misfortune to interest his friend. Therefore, the fact that the Count would be away from Walsingham would be signalled by a pleasant necessity for the rescue of this peasant girl. Besides, in London the viscount planned to seek a cure for Cassie, and he was also trivially bored on this remote estate. But he ordered Mr. Morris to send him letters to keep him informed of Miss Cassandra's health.

The Count of Draymore, for his part, obliged Mr. Pilough, the architect, to send him reports of the work done on the church.

The next morning, unnoticed by any of the Walsinghams, the gentlemen left for London.

After vespers the pastor unveiled the forthcoming reconstruction of the church and called for volunteers, and the grateful parishioners responded eagerly, willing to help in any way they could, even women. Three lads and seven fairly young men volunteered for the work itself, including Christine's admirer, John Tiley, who secretly hoped that Pastor Glowford would protectorate him over Christine.