Nettie stood like a young panther at bay; clinging to Miss Joe in terror, yet looking toward the door with her eyes ablaze with defiance.
Just as a loud rap started them afresh Hugh swung the door open, and a tall, majestic-looking man, wrapped in a large cloak, strode into the room.
CHAPTER XXX.
THE NIGHT VISIT.
And scenes long past of joy and pain,
Come weldering through her childish brain.
—Scott.
“That’s godfather! As sure as a gun that’s godfather!” exclaimed Nettie; making one bound from the place where she stood to a chair, and springing thence to the bosom of the newcomer, where she clung desperately, pressing her arms around his neck; holding his head between her hands, while she kissed his eyes and cheeks and lips; then rubbing and rooting her head into his bosom, and screaming with delight.
“And is it possible you recollect me, little Nettie?” asked General Garnet (for it was he), in a tone of voice almost sad.
“Recollect you, godfather; sure I do! Though you have been away so long; I haven’t seen you since I was a wood-sprite, and that was a long time ago, and now I am a water-nymph,” exclaimed Nettie, rubbing her head into him, and clinging around him, laughing with joy.
“Wild as ever, Nettie?”