“What? What? Only one thing—one thing! I saw his face in the crowd—close to the carriage. He was not drowned—he’s alive—he has returned.”

“What do you mean?—he?—who? God above—not—not that man?”

“Marcus Blaydon—I tell you I saw his face. He smiled—such a smile! There is no chance of a mistake. He is alive, and he has returned.”

The Framsby Glee and Madrigal Meistersingers were giving a spirited rendering of “Auld Lang Syne.”

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to min’,

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

And days o’ lang syne?