So she remained folded in his close embrace—content, safe in the shelter of his arms, with her white face nestling on his breast, while he showered kisses upon it and her hair.
'Captain Goring,' said the vicar, 'how did you discover that she was here—with me?'
'She wrote to her old servant whither she had gone, and he informed me without delay at my club. He did not distrust me, as you, sir, did.'
'I trust, Captain Goring, you will pardon that now, "as all is well that ends well," replied the vicar, with a smile, and thinking, wisely, that he might be rather de trop just then, he withdrew to another apartment.
Goring now then held her at arm's length to survey her face, it was so long since he had last looked upon it, and then drew her close again to his breast. After a time, he asked,
'What is all this that I have been told about your being a governess—Alison, love, tell me?'
'I am one now—at least, I was one, in a house in Pembridge Square.'
'With a family called De Jobbyns—absurd name!'
'Yes.'
'Is this a riddle—a joke, or what?' said he, giving his moustache an almost angry twitch.