Before she could reply, the curtain was pushed aside; and with wide-open eyes, flushed cheeks, and wonder, delight and incredulity on every feature, Pet stood before them. Ray’s voice had reached her ear, and half-inclined to doubt the evidence of her senses, she stood there, literally rooted to the ground. Yes, there he was—his own proud, fiery, handsome self, and forgetting everything in her delight, Pet uttered a cry of joy, and sprung toward him. He took a step forward, his face flushed with many feelings, and the next moment, for the first time, Pet was held clasped in his arms.
“Oh, Ray! dear Ray! I am so glad!” exclaimed Pet, scarcely knowing what she said, in her joy and amazement. “Dearest Ray—my gracious! I didn’t mean that; but, oh, Ray! I am so glad to see you again!”
“My own Petronilla! my dearest love!” he passionately exclaimed, bending over her.
“How on earth did you ever find me out, Ray, stowed away here under the earth?” asked Pet, whose utter amazement at seeing him here completely overmastered every other feeling. “Who told you these fellows had carried me off to this black hole?”
“No one—we only suspected it.”
“And you know, Ray, it was the greatest mistake all through. They meant to carry off Erminie—think of that!—and they took me in a mistake. I expect they are making an awful time about it up in the upper world—ain’t they? I suppose papa’s gone out of his head altogether.”
“Your father is not at home, Petronilla. Ranty is nearly distracted.”
“Ranty? Why, Ray—my goodness, Ray! is Ranty home?”
“Yes—arrived late last night.”
“Did you ever! And they had to take and carry me off at such a contrary time, and I wanted to see him so much. Well, if it’s not the funniest, most disagreeable affair, from beginning to end! I say, Ray, how did you find me out, though?”