But she felt more strongly than ever that, however reluctant she might be to announce her intended departure from such kind friends, it was incumbent upon her to do so before they should make any material change in their household arrangements for her sake.
So after a little hesitation she commenced:
“Dear friends, while ever I live in this world I shall remember your goodness to me, and with my last breath I shall pray Heaven to bless you for it. But——”
“We have pleased ourselves in this, my dear; so say nothing more about it,” smiled the old gentleman, laying his hand kindly on her head.
“Thanks—a thousand thanks, dear sir; but I feel that I must soon leave you——”
“Leave us!” echoed General Lyon, Anna and Dick all in a breath.
“It is time for me to return to my home,” she said, gently.
“Your home, Drusilla!” said General Lyon, in a grave and tender voice. “Poor child, where will you find so proper a home as this, where your relations with us give you the right to stay, and where our affection for you makes you more than welcome?”
“Nowhere, indeed, sir, but in the house provided for me, by—my husband,” answered Drusilla, breathing the last two words in a scarcely audible tone.
“Ah! he has come to his senses; he has written and entreated you to join him. For the sake of my faith in human nature I am glad that he has done so,” said the General.