"Lucia!" he said; "just yourself." But somehow his voice was not quite steady, and he dare not trust it any further.
"We wanted you so, and you are come. Oh, Maurice! you are good to find us so soon!"
"Did you think I should not?"
"I cannot tell. How could you know where we were?"
"I went to Chester, and asked."
"To Chester? To my cousin's? Just to find us out?"
"Why not? Did not you know perfectly well that my first thought when I was free would be to find you?"
He spoke half laughing, but there was no mistaking his earnestness in the matter; was not he here to prove it? Tears came very fast to Lucia's eyes. This was really like the old happy days coming back.
"Come in," she said, "mamma is here." But mamma still slept undisturbed, for their tones had been low in the greatness of their joy; and Maurice drew Lucia back, and would not let her awake her.
"She looks very tired," he said rather hypocritically; "and it will be time enough to see me when she awakes. Don't disturb her."