Oh, good man, you torture me. Is she alive?
Well, if you will just keep still and give me time to think, I think I shall be able to convince you. But an old salt like me, wants to know that the ship is well-rigged, ballasted and manned before he goes into a skirmish, and I think from that cloud and the fresh breeze that comes from that door, that we shall have a skirmish, if not a general engagement. You know, my Lord, that it is an old saying, that “When Greek meets Greek, then comes the tug of war.” Now I don’t think that Greek is going to meet Greek here, but the way that craft is sailing, I think there will be a collision. Shiver my timbers, old man, but you must have had a jolly time anchored in that mad house for five years. But it may be a relief to know that during that time the craft you deserted was safely anchored here. It is a short yarn and quickly told.
Let me see. I say, wife. It was twenty-five years ago to-night that you heard something fall on the stoop, and on opening the door and looking out, saw a well-dressed woman lying there. And now, old man, I want to say here and now that sailors and their wives have hearts, and as long as there is a cent in the locker or a crust in the cupboard, they will share it with the poor. So you see, Mary saw this lady laying there and she called:
Jack, she called, come and lend a hand to tow this cast-away into port.
And then Mary and I, lubber, lifted with all our might and main until we landed her in the after cabin, and stowed her away in the lower bunk. She appeared to be a well-built, clean-cut craft, about thirty years off the stocks. Her eyes kept continually rolling, but her voice was silent. We supposed that she was a woman of the street—some poor, unfortunate creature, who had no home to go to. My wife said:
I don’t care, Jack, who she is, or what she is. We will take care of her till morning.
She was now lying on her beam ends, and it looked as if she would remain docked for some time. But presently, her sails began to flutter, and in a short time she righted. She requested the privilege of remaining with us for a short time and promised to pay us. She then informed us who she was, and related the causes that drove her from her home, which are about as his Lordship related. She and my wife fell in love with each other, and from that day to this have been fast friends.
This house, at that time, was a rickety old thing. She bought it for us and put it in its present condition. In addition to that, she purchased these costly pictures. Besides, she took charge of the education of my daughter. She was known to the world as Mrs. Winter. When she went abroad she was disguised. It was she that frequently called to see you at mad house. She is still alive, and under this roof. Mary, open the door.
The door leading to the adjoining room opened, and there stood Lady Wallace.
My wife! My long lost Amy! exclaimed Lord Wallace, passionately throwing his arms around her.