“Well then, as the time came on for the Sarmatian to arrive, it began to strike me by degrees that all Quebec was agog with curiosity to see you. I dared not go down to meet you at the quay myself; but the Chief Constable of Quebec, Major Tascherel, was an old friend and fellow-officer of my father’s; and when I explained to him my fears that you might be mobbed by sightseers on your arrival at the harbour, and told him how afraid I was of the shock it might give you to meet an old friend unexpectedly at the steamer’s side, he very kindly consented to go down and see you safe through the Custom House, It was so lucky I knew him. If it hadn’t been for that, you might have been horribly inconvenienced.
“As you may imagine, when we first saw you get into the Pullman car, both Elsie and I felt our hearts come up into our months with suspense and anxiety. We’d arranged it all so on purpose, for we felt sure you were on your way to Palmyra to find us: but when it came to the actual crisis, we wondered most nervously what effect the sight of us might have upon your system. But in a moment, I saw you didn’t remember us at all, or only vaguely attached to us some faint sense of friendliness. That was well, because it enabled us to gain your confidence easily. As we spoke with you, the sense of friendly interest deepened. I knew that, all unconsciously to yourself, you loved me still, and that in a very short time, if only I could see you and be with you, I might bring all back to you.”
Jack paused and looked at me. As he paused, I felt my old self revive again more completely than ever with a rush.
“Oh, Jack,” I cried, “so you HAVE done; so you HAVE brought all back to me! My Second State’s over: I’m the same girl you used to know at Torquay once more. I remember everything—everything—such a world—such a lifetime! I feel as if my head would burst with all the things I remember. I don’t know what to do with it. I’m so tired, so weary.”
“Lay it here,” Jack said simply.
And I laid it on his shoulder, just as I used to do years ago, and cried so long in silence, and was ever so much comforted. For I’ve admitted all along that I’m only a woman.
There we sat, hand in hand, for many minutes more, saying never another word, but sympathising silently, till Elsie returned from Palmyra.
When she burst into the room, she called out lightly as she entered:
“Well, I’ve got you your lemon, Una, and I do hope—” Then she broke short suddenly. “Oh, Jack,” she cried, faltering, and half guessing the truth, “what’s the meaning of this? Why, Una’s been crying. You bad boy, you’ve been frightening her. I oughtn’t to have left her ten minutes alone with you!”
Jack rose and held up his hand in warning.