CHAPTER XLII.
FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS.
Mr. Huntress was struck dumb with astonishment by this unexpected declaration; but Geoffrey sprang forward, clasped that extended hand, and exclaimed, in a voice that shook with emotion:
“Oh, sir, I can never express my gratitude for that blessed assurance!”
Colonel Mapleson’s fingers closed almost convulsively over the young man’s hand, while he turned his gaze upon him, searching his face with eager, hungry eyes.
“Geoffrey,” he murmured, in a trembling tone, “you are my Annie’s boy.”
His lips quivered, a great trembling seized him, and he seemed on the point of breaking down utterly.
It was several minutes before he could collect himself sufficiently to speak, although he struggled manfully with his emotion.
At length he turned again to Geoffrey, to whose hand he had clung all the time, saying:
“How like you are to Everet, my other son. I mistook you for him when I first entered the room.”
“So you did upon one other occasion, if you remember,” Geoffrey returned.