“After losing his sister?” she repeated, abstractedly, a feeling she had never before experienced coming upon her as she continued to gaze at Mr. Somers.
“Yes. The sister was removed from the institution, on the 3d of September, 18— by a gentleman, who was attracted by her beautiful face and charming manner. He adopted her as his daughter, giving her his name, and concealing the facts of her origin.”
“Yes,” said Jennie, listening to his words with breathless interest.
“On the 3d of September, 18—,” continued Mr. Leonard, “a friend of mine, Mr. James Arlington, adopted from the alms-house a young child, giving her his own name of Arlington, but retaining her original name of Jennie Somers. She is now known, in her full name, as Jennie Somers Arlington, and is the heiress to Mr. Arlington’s estate, I being her guardian.”
Mr. Somers had risen and approached Jennie with a motion as if drawn by some unseen force.
“Can this be possible!” she murmured, resting with one hand upon her chair, which shook with nervous emotion. “Mr. Arlington not my father! This gentleman my father!”
“Yes, she is my daughter—my Jennie!” he cried. “I know her now, her face, her eyes! She is the image of her poor mother!”
He would have clasped her in his arms, but she held him off, while her large, eager eyes gazed with devouring intentness upon his face, as if not quite believing in this sudden revelation, yet drawn toward him and longing for his love.
Will, with his usual impulsiveness, broke the suspense.
“Didn’t I tell you so?” he shouted. “I knowed you was my Jennie! Felt it in my bones. My dear, sweet, lost sister Jennie!”