Her heart went up to him in a silent petition; and then a sweet, glad song of praise burst half unconsciously from her lips.
As she ceased a rap at the door into the hall—which as well as the outer one, stood wide open—caught her ear.
She turned her head to see a tall gentleman, a fine looking, middle-aged man standing there and regarding her with a pleased smile.
"Uncle Dinsmore! is it possible! Oh how glad I am to see you!" she cried, dropping her work and springing toward him with both hands extended.
He took them, drew her to him and kissing her affectionately, first on one cheek, then on the other, said gayly, "I flattered myself you would be, else I should not have traveled some hundreds of miles for the express purpose of paying you a visit. Fair and sweet as ever, Marcia! Time deals more gently with you than is his wont with the most of the world."
"Ah, I remember you as always given to pretty compliments," she returned, with a pleased, but half incredulous smile, as she drew forward the most comfortable chair in the room and made him seat himself therein, while she relieved him of his hat and cane.
"So I have taken you by surprise?" he said inquiringly and with a satisfied look.
"I did not even know you were at the North. When did you leave Roselands? Were they all well? Are any of them with you?"
"One question at a time, Marcia," he said with a good-humored laugh. "I left home in June, bringing all the family with me as far as Philadelphia. They are visiting now in eastern Pennsylvania. I went on to New York a month ago to see Horace off for Europe, then concluded to come on into Ohio and Indiana, to have a look at this great western country, your Aunt Wealthy and yourself. I purpose spending a week or two with you, if quite convenient and agreeable, then to return, taking Lansdale in my way, and paying a short visit there."