Miss Tabby and Miss Libby next took their turns to be embraced and kissed.
And then the old servants crowded around to welcome their beloved young mistress; to every one of them she gave a cordial grasp of her hand, and loving words.
“It is very delightful,” she said, with tears of joy in her eyes, “it is very, very delightful to be so warmly welcomed home.”
“Everything as well as everybody welcomes you home, Miss Sybil! Even the Black Torrent! I never heard the cascade sing so loud and merry as it does to-night!” said Old Abe, or Father Abraham, as he was called, for being a full centenarian, and the oldest negro, by twenty years, of any on the estate.
“Thank you, dear old Uncle Abe! I know you all welcome me home! And I love to think that my torrent does too! And now, Miss Tabby, you got the letter I wrote from Underhill, asking you to have the spare rooms prepared for the visitors we were to bring with us?” inquired Sybil, turning to her housekeeper.
“Yes, ma’am, and your orders is obeyed, and the rooms is all ready, as well as yourn and Mr. Berners’, even to the kindling of the fires, which has been burning in the chimneys to air them rooms all this blessed day,” answered Miss Tabby.
“That is right, and I thank you; and now here comes our visitor,” said Sybil, as her guest approached leaning on her husband’s arm. They had certainly lingered a little on the way; but Sybil was too happy to notice that circumstance now. The jealous wife was for the time subdued within her, and all the hospitable hostess was in the ascendant.
“You are welcome to Black Hall, my dear Mrs. Blondelle,” she said, advancing to receive her guest. “And now, will you walk into our sitting parlor and rest awhile before taking off your wraps; or shall I show you at once to your rooms, which are quite ready for you?”
“At once to my rooms, if you please, Mrs. Berners; for, you see, my poor little Cromartie is already fast asleep.”
“Come, then; you will not have far to go. It is on this floor,” said Sybil, with a smile, as she led the way down the wide hall, past the great staircase, and then turned to the right and went down a long passage, until she came to a door, which she opened.