She arose to her feet and her heart stood still.
Dick Hammond entered.
“Anna! You here? Pardon me, I expected only to find my uncle,” he exclaimed, in a voice vibrating with emotion.
“Dick! dear Dick! you are welcome! Shake hands, Dick. No, take it! it is a free hand now. I know all, Dick!” exclaimed Anna trembling with excess of agitation.
He clasped her hand and carried it to his lips.
“I came here to tell your grandfather everything and to prove all that I should tell. But I have been anticipated.”
“Yes, Drusilla is here.”
“I knew she was on her way. I came a night’s journey with her in the coach. But I saw that she tried to escape recognition by me; for what reason I could not guess; so, not to trouble her with my presence, in the morning I got off the coach and took another route. I feared that she would not be able to continue her journey.”
“She arrived this evening,” said Anna, calmly.
“And she has told you all?”