Our heroine looked anxious, saying—
“What have you heard, dear William, since I saw you? I learned from Rose that you were gone to speak to a sailor, calling himself Louis Lebeau. Did he bring you the good news you speak of? Do you know I thought Rose looked as if she had something to communicate, and yet refrained for some reason?”
“Rose, I dare say,” said the lieutenant, “wished me to impart a piece of intelligence that will fill your heart with joy.”
“Can you mean, William,” said Mabel eagerly, and her hand resting on that of her lover, “can you mean that you have heard any tidings of poor Julian?”
“Yes,” said the lieutenant, kissing the fair hand resting on his; “yes, sure and certain news of his not only being alive and well, but of his arrival in France.”
“Heaven be praised!” fervently exclaimed Mabel, the tears coming into her eyes; “what joy this will be to my beloved mother. Did this Louis Lebeau bring you this joyful intelligence?”
“He did, dearest.”
And bending down his head, he whispered a few words in her ear.
With an uncontrollable feeling of deep emotion, Mabel threw her arms round her lover’s neck, and laid her head upon his shoulder, weeping with excess of joy.
“William, William, what joy you have imparted to my heart; dear Julian so near me!”