The secretary pushed back his folding desk, and rose respectfully. “I could not sleep, your excellency—not if I were in bed. Not in this town,” and he looked expectantly at his patron.
“Yes, I have seen her,” said Lord Vaulabel, as if answering a question. “She is beautiful and good, and she believes in her father.”
“Dieu est tout miséricorde et tout sagesse,” and the man reverently bent his head as he thus spoke of the divine compassion and wisdom. He had suffered too long to be given to much outward emotion.
“Some strange revelations have been made to us,” pursued Lord Vaulabel; “but you will learn all from your daughter.”
“Is she here?” asked Delavigne quietly.
“Yes,” and with a face more excited than that of his secretary the nobleman led the way to the drawing room.
He threw open the door. Delavigne looked in, saw rising up before him with glad arms extended a girl even more lovely than the wife of his youth. He heard her eager cry, “My father!” made a step forward and caught her to his breast, while Lord and Lady Vaulabel softly withdrew from the room.
CHAPTER XL
THE FATE THAT PURSUES US
Joe Christmas was an unhappy Indian after the discovery of the ghost flower across the Arm.
He gazed mournfully toward the big house, shook his head, and uttered a number of times a long-drawn, musical “Ah-a-a-a,” of regret and dismay. Then as if he were forced to it by some power he could not resist, he gave most touching proof of his affection and respect for Vivienne.