THE MAGNIFICENT
MARQUISThe Marquis drove for about three miles away from Lord Durham’s house.
Then he turned off the road into a small wood and up a rough track running between the trees.
He pulled the horses to a standstill, as they could go no further.
He fixed his reins, climbed out and walked round to the back of his chaise.
The fragment of blue ribbon he had noticed on his departure was still hanging out of the box that was there to hold luggage or extra rugs for cold weather.
He pulled open the door and said quietly,
“You can come out now.”
A small frightened face looked up at him.
He recognised that it was the face of someone very young yet exceedingly beautiful.
She stared at him.
Then she asked in a soft childlike voice,
“How – did you know – I was here?”
“Before I got into the driving seat, I saw a piece of your sash sticking out.”
There was no reply.
“Happiness is in the mind. When you are tired, ill or miserable, try making a picture of beauty and tell yourself a story of love. If you do it frequently you will find yourself both happier and lovelier in body and soul.”
Barbara Cartland