[CHAPTER XXVIII.]
At that heart-thrilling cry of rapture, Vane Charteris and his companion turn around simultaneously.
Within a few feet of them they behold Reine, the long-lost bride, Reine, in the long, trailing sables of widowhood, yet with a face fairly transfigured by happiness, love and triumph.
The effect of her sudden appearance upon Maud is most startling.
The beautiful blonde, after one terrified glance at her strangely-restored cousin, shrieks out:
"A ghost, a ghost!" and flies in the wildest dismay toward the house.
Vane Charteris, half-bewildered, yet full of gladness, flies to clasp the beautiful phantom to his heart.
As his arms close around the palpitating figure, and he realizes that she is truly a creature of flesh and blood, a cry of thanksgiving escapes his lips, the tears of not unmanly emotion burst from the eyes and rain down on the dark head, nestled closely and lovingly against his breast.
He holds her close and tight, raining passionate kisses on the sweet, scarlet mouth, the blushing cheeks, the dark eye, tearful with this sudden happiness.