Captain Manton’s heart beat fast as he walked up the familiar road, and hastened to meet the daughter he had thought he would never see again.
‘Perhaps it will be better for me to go on first,’ said Wal, ‘and prepare her. The sudden joy may be too much for Eva.’
They agreed, and Wal walked on. He reached the cottage door, and knocked. His wife opened it, and gave a cry of joy as she saw him. After a hearty embrace, she said anxiously:
‘Where is Edgar? Is he well?’
‘Never better,’ said Wal. ‘Where’s Eva?’
Eva heard them talking, and came running into the room. She rushed into Wal’s outstretched arms, and he kissed her tenderly.
‘Edgar has come back,’ said Wal, ‘and someone else—someone you love best in all the world.’
‘Daddy?’ said Eva excitedly.
‘Yes,’ said Wal, looking from her to his wife; ‘daddy has come back.’
He heard footsteps outside, and said: