“When hubby s gone to Brighton,
And I ve sent the cook to bed,
Oh who's that a-knocking on the window!”
At the conclusion of this concert he knew not whether to feel more relieved or chagrined to observe that his fair hostess had her eyes fixed upon the clock. Thanking him with a slightly embarrassed air, she threw a pointed glance at Miss Minchell, and the two ladies rose.
“I am afraid you will think we keep very early hours,” she began.
“It is one of the best rules in my uncle's philosophy,” he interposed.
Yet though glad enough to have come so triumphantly to the end of his ordeal, he could not bring himself to let his charming disciple leave him in a wounded or even disappointed mood. As soon as Miss Minchell had passed through the door he quietly laid his hand upon Julia's arm, and with a gesture beckoned her back into the room.
“Pardon my seeming levity, Miss Wallingford,” he said in a grave and gentle voice, “but you know not what emotions I had to contend with! I thank you for your charming sympathy, and I beg you to accept in my uncle's name that salute by which his followers distinguish the faithful.”
And he thereupon kissed the blushing girl with a heartiness that restored her confidence in him completely.
“Well,” he said to himself as he retired with his candle, “I've managed to get a fair penn'orth out of it after all.”