"People don't generally die of insanity."
"But there's no harm in writing. If you have no objection."
"I'll think it over," said the dean.
"And now I must go back," said Frederick, rising. "Will you walk with me, and see Georgina?"
"Ah, Frederick, you know how to tempt me! I would walk further than to Castle Wafer to see her. My only darling: I believe no one in the world knows her real worth."
They went out together. Looking into the drawing-room for a minute first of all, to tell Mrs. Beauclerc. She was there with Miss Denison, a middle-aged lady who had come home with them for a long visit, and who was one of the bêtes noires of Georgina's life.
Georgina was watching: whether for the possible sight of her father, or for the more certain one of his companion--there she stood, half in, half out of the open French window. Frederick stole a march upon her. He made the dean creep round the corner of the house, so that she did not see them until they were close upon her. He watched the meeting; he saw the clinging, heartfelt embrace, the glad tears rising to her eyes: never after that could he doubt the girl's loving nature. Perhaps, with all her lightness, he had not doubted it before.
"And where's mamma. Could she not also come?"
"I left her to entertain Miss Denison."
Georgina gave a scream. "Papa! You have never brought her home!"