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Page 31
The old man listened for a moment, and then, turning to Arthur, said, "I
cannot see any person to-night. Will you be kind enough to inform the
servant, that Mrs. Denham is out, and that I feel too much indisposed to
receive any visitors,--though it is a singular hour for visitors, I must
confess."
Arthur, as he opened the drawing-room door, heard a strange confusion in
the hall below, and quickly closing it on the invalid, stepped out to
convey Mr. Denham's orders, and to ascertain the cause of this unusual
disturbance.
As he descended the staircase, he was met by the servant, whose honest
face was lit up with a strange expression of wonder, joy, and
satisfaction.
"Anything amiss?" inquired Arthur, observing the perturbation of the
man.
"Oh, no, Sir, but how glad I am that you are here, for I am afraid the
news will be too much for Master, and the young lady told me to break it
to him gently."
"What news, what young lady, what do you mean, John?" inquired Mr.
Bernard, in a tone of bewilderment. "I do not understand to what you
allude."
"Beg pardon, Sir, for not telling you before, but it has been so sudden,
it quite overpowered me, to think our dear young lady, whom we thought
long since buried in the sea"--
The man stopped abruptly, and turned his head, evidently too much
affected to go on.
"For pity's sake, speak, John, and put an end to this suspense; what
about her?"
"Oh, Sir, nothing, Sir; I mean nothing at all, to alarm you, Sir; she
has come back again, Sir; she was not drowned, after all, and she is now
waiting in the library. She would have come right up, but I told her how
ill Master had been, and then she stopped, for she was afraid the shock
might be too much for him."
Arthur heard not the conclusion of the sentence.
"She is not drowned,--she has come back again,"--was all he could think
of; and with eager steps, that yet seemed all too slow for his impatient
spirit, he hastened to greet the long-mourned wanderer.
He paused a moment at the door of the library, to calm the tumult of his
soul, and then slowly opening it, entered the room.
Agnes,--for it was indeed her own dear self,--had thrown off her cloak
and hood, and sank back on a sofa, almost overcome with emotion, at
finding herself once more at home,--and, perhaps, a little troubled to
learn what reception she was likely to expect, from those who had parted
with her so coldly.
She started up at the sound of approaching footsteps.
"Miss Wiltshire, this is, indeed, one of the happiest moments of my
life," said Arthur, as clasping her hand, he raised it, involuntarily,
to his lips, and with a voice, tremulous with emotion, continued:
"We have mourned you as one long since departed, but a gracious
Providence has surely miraculously restored you again to your home, and
your deeply sorrowing friends."
"Mine has, indeed, been a miraculous preservation, and one which
demands the most grateful acknowledgment of my heart."
"I trust to have the pleasure of listening to its details, by and bye,
and in joining with you in praising Him, who has so graciously given you
back to us all. But I must not forget that you are, I am sure, very
anxious to see your uncle."
"I am, indeed," was the reply. "Is he dangerously ill?" she earnestly
inquired. "The man told me, he believed my aunt was out, but would go
and ascertain."
"Mrs. Denham went out two hours ago, to visit a sick neighbor, and has
not yet returned. Your uncle has, indeed, been very ill, and is still
quite an invalid; but it has all originated in sorrow for your loss, and
remorse at having been the chief instrument in sending you away. You
will find him wonderfully changed," added Arthur, with kind
consideration; for, fully aware of the circumstances under which she had
left home, he knew she must feel anxiety respecting the terms on which,
it was probable, she would be permitted to remain with her relatives.
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