"Welcome home, dear papa—welcome home!"
"I must bear it," she thought, "for his sake."
Then the beautiful face was looking in her own.
Oh, Heaven! that she should bear such pain, such joy, yet live.
A soft voice said:
"Welcome home, dear Lady Linleigh. I hope you will let me love you very much."
She felt as though she held her heart in her own hands when she kissed the white brow, saying:
"I am sure to love you very much."
The earl, who was watching her closely, saw that she had just as much as she could bear—it was time to interfere; so he took Mattie by the hand and led her to the countess. He introduced her in a few kindly words, and then Lady Linleigh replied:
"I remember you, my dear, though you have probably forgotten me. I saw you when you were quite a little child."