Then, as he began to comprehend its meaning, the frown gave place to a good-humored laugh, and taking Marian’s hand, he led her toward the assembled blacks, saying to them:
“Rejoice with me that the lost one has returned to us again, for this is Marian Lindsey—my wife and your mistress—changed, it is true, but the same Marian who went from us more than six years ago.”
“Wonder if he ’spects us to swallow dat ar?” said the unbelieving Hetty.
Dinah, on the contrary, had not the shadow of a doubt, and she dropped on her knees at once, kissing the very hem of Marian’s dress, and exclaiming through her tears:
“Lord bress you, Miss Marian. You’ve mightily altered, to be sure, but ain’t none the wus for that. I’m nothin’ but a poor old nigger, and can’t say what’s in my heart, but it’s full and runnin’ over, bless you, honey.”
Dinah’s example was contagious, and more than one prostrated themselves before their mistress, while their howling cries of surprise and delight were almost deafening. Particularly was Josh delighted, and while the noise went on, he took occasion to “balance to your partner,” in the hall, with a young yellow girl, who thought his stammering was music, and his ungainly figure the most graceful that could be conceived. When the commotion had in a measure subsided, and Hetty had gone over to the popular side, saying, “she knew from the first Marian was somebody,” Frederic made a few brief explanations as to where their mistress had been, and then dismissed them to their several duties, for he preferred being alone again with his wife and Alice.
Supper was soon announced, but little was eaten by any one. They were too much excited for that, and as soon as the meal was over, they returned to Frederic’s room, where, sitting again between her husband and Alice, Marian told them, as far as possible, everything which had come to her since leaving Redstone Hall.
“Can’t I ever know what made you go away?” Alice asked; and Frederic replied:
“Yes, birdie, you shall;” and, without sparing himself in the least, he told her all.
“Marian an heiress, too!” she exclaimed. “Will marvels never cease?” and she laid her head which was beginning to grow weary, upon Marian’s lap, saying, “I never knew till now one half how good you are. No wonder Frederic thought that he had killed you. It was wicked in him, very,” and the brown eyes looked sleepily into the fire, while Marian replied: