"Speak no more of it—it is quite forgotten."
"Ah, my Lord, how good you are. But did you not say last night we were on the coast of Wales? Tell me, I beseech you, on what part of that coast. I begin to hope, knowing Lady St. Aubyn's former residence."
He paused breathless, with contending emotions.
"Lady St. Aubyn and myself," replied St. Aubyn calmly, "are on a visit to some friends in this neighbourhood. The storm of last night, and the hearing a ship was in distress, induced me to take out my servants and some others to see if we could be of any service to the unfortunate mariners. One of the friends we were with blessed me, and prayed that my undertaking might prosper. Her prayers were heard: they were the fervent supplication of a mother for her son, though then she knew not nor could believe he was implicated in the danger."
"Ah! Heavens!" exclaimed Charles, "it was my mother! Speak, my Lord, speak! Are we not at, or near Llanwyllan?"
"Be composed, and I will tell you."
"I am composed, and able to hear all."
"You are at Llanwyllan. Your father, mother, and Joanna, were obliged by the storm of last night to remain at Powis's: there I left them sleeping in peace, not knowing or imagining their son and brother was so near."
The tears ran down the cheeks of Charles, and his heart swelled high with thankfulness both to his earthly and heavenly preserver.
After a few minutes, for St. Aubyn was glad to see his emotions find a relief so desirable, and would not interrupt him, he grasped the hand which the Earl had given him, and would have said something expressive of his gratitude, but St. Aubyn prevented him by saying: