Mr. Force’s friends were not quite satisfied—all was not cleared up to their contentment. They wished to know how it happened that Roland had been separated from his parents in his infancy.
But the mystery, which has been revealed to the reader, was never made clear to them, though subsequently various reports got into circulation concerning the lost child—the most popular of which, originating no one knew how, was that Roland had been stolen by gypsies. This romance came finally to be received as the truth.
It was late that night when the party separated and retired to rest.
CHAPTER XLVII
MOTHER AND SON
The recovery of Elfrida Force was very rapid. When she awoke from sleep on the morning after her interview with her husband, she felt so free from pain and weariness, so refreshed in mind and body, that she wished to get up and dress, and go down into the drawing room to join her family circle. This the nurse dissuaded her from doing, but advised her to put on a wrapper, sit in an easy chair, and receive any friends she might wish to see in her own room.
The first one she asked for was her husband. Abel Force came quickly, dismissed the attendant from the room, and sat down beside her, holding her hand in his own a few moments before either spoke.
The squire was the first to break the eloquent silence.
“Dearest, you will be glad to hear that our Roland is at liberty; is fully exonerated.”
“Thank Heaven!” breathed the mother.
“The morning’s papers give us the information that Stukely will be yielded up to the British authorities and will leave Washington to-day for New York, to sail on the Scotia, on Saturday, for Liverpool.”