“Did ever any one hear the like! And how did it happen that you came here, then?”
“As I told you before, I was trying to find Allworth Abbey, when I was overtaken by the night and the storm, and while I was wandering about like a lost child, I saw the lights of this house shine from afar and they guided me to it.”
“Well, Lord bless the admiral’s lights, for they have done some good at last in guiding his own grand-daughter home!” said Mrs. Broadsides, fervently.
“Ma’am?” exclaimed Annella, opening her grey eyes in astonishment.
“Now, is it creditable that you don’t yet know as you’re at the Anchorage, the seat of your grandfather, Admiral Sir Ira Brunton?”
“And is it possible that I am in the house of my grandfather—my stern and terrible grandfather, who hated and discarded my father and my mother?” exclaimed Annella, in dismay.
“Yes, my dear, but he will not hate them any longer; he must not hate the dead, you know; and he must love the living; and he shall acknowledge you as his grand-daughter and sole heiress, and take you to his heart, or else turn me out of his house,” said the woman, stoutly.
“And me, too; which I don’t think he be likely to do for a trifling difference of opinion,” said Mr. Jessup.
“And me!” said Miss Tabs, valiantly.
And so likewise said Mr. Antonio.