Then the familiar figure, the well known walk made her heart beat furiously with a great joy.
"Father, father, it's Jack!" she exclaimed.
"Nonsense, Win, how can it be Jack?"
"It is. I am sure it is. Look, look."
Sir Lester put on his glasses, and said—
"By jove, I believe you are right. Wait and see, we must not make a ridiculous mistake."
Jack Redland saw they recognised him, and ran forward, sprang up the terrace steps, and had Winifred in his arms, almost before she had recovered from her astonishment. She put her arms round his neck and kissed him, it seemed natural for her to do so, had she not waited a long time for him?
"It is you, Jack, dear Jack. You have come back to us. Is it really true?"
"Yes, it is true, Winnie, and I have looked forward to this day during all the time I have been away."
Sir Lester stood looking on, his face betraying his happiness.