“Thanks be to the Lord that I find you safe, my darling child!”
“At last! Oh, at last you are vindicated!”
“Restored to life, almost from the grave. Oh! my child!”
“By what happy chance did you drift into Aunt Sophie’s house?”
“I will tell you presently, my dear, for——”
“And how is dear Aunt Sophie?”
“You must judge for yourself, darling! Look up! There—there she is!”
Lilith lifted herself from the señor’s breast and turned her head to see a round, black bundle of a little old woman, on the bottom of an easy-chair, unroll itself and come towards her in the form of Mrs. Downie.
Yes, it was indeed Aunt Sophie! There was the same soft, round form, the same careless though clean black gown and shawl, the same little mashed black silk bonnet, the same smiling, babyish old face, with its fair skin, blue eyes and rumpled gray hair. It was dear Aunt Sophie in person, wonderful as the fact appeared.
With a half-suppressed cry of joy Lilith ran to her, caught her in her arms and covered her face with kisses, while Aunt Sophie cried quietly without speaking a word.