For months she had not heard from the absent ones. She knew Jerusalem was taken; but if any letters had been sent, they had miscarried--no unlikely circumstance in those days.
The messenger reached the castle.
Soon steps were heard ascending the stairs with such precipitate haste, that the lady felt sure that some important tidings had arrived.
Young Hugh--an active, fresh-coloured boy, with his Father's features, tempered by the softer expression of his mother, perhaps--bounded into the room.
"Oh, mother! lady mother!--letters from father, about him and Edward. The man below is old Tristam--you remember Tristam who went to the wars. They have landed, landed, and are upon the road home. Oh! happy day. Tristam was sent forward. Read,--only read."
She was as pale as death, and fainting from the sudden shock. Excess of joy has its dangers.
Her two girls, Margaret and Hilda, had followed their brother, and their gentle care soon restored her: but the shock had been great.
"Read, mother,--read," said Hugh.
The accomplishments of reading and writing--for they were accomplishments then--were possessed both by husband and wife.
We will give but one paragraph in the letter: