"I see I shall not be needed any longer. She will very soon be strong again."
"Miss Fairleigh, I am awaiting your pleasure. Are you to return to your home to-night?" asked Mr. Carlton.
"Oh, yes. Bridget promised to come for me, but I must get back before mamma and Julia; yet I forget there is no further need of concealment: I am so very glad! I will be over in the morning. Good-night."
"God bless you, Vallie! you have been a ministering angel to my loved ones. You can tell Julia I have returned and am with my wife. I fear my sister has acted very wickedly in this matter. I have written many times and received no answer. Some one, for whom they were not intended, got those letters. Perhaps I judge her harshly. Good-night," said William Bland.
Vallie, accompanied by Mr. Carlton, was soon on her way home. They had gone but a short distance when they were joined by David.
"Why, Mr. Carlton! how strange to meet you, when I was just thinking of you, and on the eve of asking your father to tell you I was not at the ball this evening. I was so sorry I could not explain when you asked me. Your father will tell you all, I know. You thought me very wicked and willful," said Vallie.
David clasped the little hand held out to greet him, and whispered:
"With your permission I will come to-morrow, and tell you what I did think and do still."
Bidding her good-night at her father's door, David lingered a moment, to catch the low answer to his repeated question, "Shall I come?"
Fervently thanking God for the happy termination of the evening, he hastened to overtake his father—and said: