"Such a pretty, homelike room," said Mama, looking round. "I often used to try and picture to myself what my little girl was doing, and what her surroundings were like."
"Wasn't Aunt Mary living here when you went away?"
"No, dear; she came here in hopes that the sea air would make you strong and rosy again, as it has."
"O Mama, you can see the sea from the windows in Papa's dressing-room; do come and look at it."
Taking her mother's hand, they went into the dressing-room, the window of which looked over the garden and towards the sea. Here they were joined by Colonel Graham, and as Lena stood between them, a hand clasped in each of theirs, she thought that there was not a happier little girl in the world than herself, and I think she was right. Silence fell upon them as they looked; so long it lasted that Lena looked up at her mother, and seeing her eyes full of tears, asked anxiously—
"Mama, what is it; what are you thinking of; aren't you happy?"
"Very happy, darling," said Mama, smiling down on her through her tears. "I was thinking how good and grateful we ought to be to Him, who has guarded us all these long years, and now brought us together again.
"Safely and well," added Papa.
"And, my Lena, we all must try to show our love and thankfulness not only in words, but in very deed and truth."
At that moment a knock was heard at the door, and Milly looked in. "As you were not in your room, Mama, I thought you must be in here," she said.