Prissy went forward to meet him, and with a start of glad surprise recognized her old friend Harry Lascelles.
The name escaped her lips, and instantly Dr. Warner was on his feet. "Harry Lascelles! Is he here? Welcome, a thousand times welcome, though I can no longer see thee face to face."
In a moment Harry was beside his old friend. "I am grieved, so grieved, Dr. Warner, to hear of the trial that has fallen on you. I only heard of it to-night; for a long time had elapsed since I had had news from home, and I had begun to get anxious about you all.—It is pleasant to see you again, Miss Prissy," he continued; "I can hardly believe my eyes when I look at you. You were only a girl when I left home, and now you are a woman."
And had he spoken out his thoughts, he would have added, "A rarely beautiful one also." But Harry was no adept at compliments, so he contented himself by letting his eyes say the words his lips refused to utter.
"Then as to Austin, he has entirely grown out of my knowledge. Dr. Warner," he said, turning suddenly towards him, "what tall, fine-looking young men your sons have become! Why, Lewis is—"
But ere he could say another word, the father had sprung to his feet, exclaiming—
"Lewis, did you say? What of him? Tell me, Harry, oh, tell me, is he still alive? My erring but much loved boy!"
Dr. Lascelles gently put the old man back in his chair, then seating himself beside him, he said, "Yes, Dr. Warner, your son Lewis is alive. I have seen him, and bear a letter from him imploring your forgiveness. And I can testify that, in the highest sense, 'he that was dead is alive again, he that was lost is found' by the good Shepherd, and is now, as he says himself, 'seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.'"
"God be praised," said the father. "Where is he now?"
Ere the question could be answered, Priscilla and Austin had eagerly repeated it, saying, "Oh, tell us all. How, when, and where have you seen him? And oh," added Prissy, "has he forgiven me?"