"But she is lost no longer," the young man broke in eagerly. "When are you going to see her?"
"At once, sir, if you'll kindly give me the address!"
"I will take you there, and we can talk on the road."
The landlady watched them depart with eyes full of pleasure and sympathy.
"I've a notion things are brightening for Mrs. Blundell," she remarked to Clara. "I believe her father intends to look after her and the children. How Mr. Blewett hurried the old man off! What an impetuous, warm-hearted lad he is, to be sure!"
Meanwhile the medical student was pouring into his companion's ears the story of how he had become acquainted with Maggie, and telling of the doctor's opinion of Annie.
Who can tell what tumultuous thoughts filled the father's heart as he followed Jim up the dark, rickety staircase! He was to see his daughter again, and he had come full of forgiveness and love. She had ever been in his mind this Christmas season, and the letter telling of her trials and troubles, clearly pointing out to him his duty, had come at the very time when his lonely heart had been yearning for her presence.
There were tears in the old man's eyes as, after receiving the usual, "Come in," in answer to his knock, the medical student took him by the arm and led him into the badly-lighted room.
Mrs. Blundell put down her work hastily, whilst the children turned curious eyes on the stranger. Old John Mudford took a step forward and looked at his daughter's face, exclaiming brokenly:
"Dinah! My poor maid!"