While yet caressing her, and as Hal was preparing to ask him to give him some proof that what he had just previously asserted was no mere hallucination, a faint knock was heard at the room door.
Before Wilton could clear his voice to give the permission to enter the room, the door opened and closed instantly.
But rapid as was the action, the door on closing had left within the room Nathan Gomer.
He nodded at Wilton, he nodded at Hal, and he smiled—that is, grinned—at Flora. All the while his face glowed like burnished gold upon which a sunbeam rested.
Wilton uttered a cry of joy. He ran up to him, and seized him by the hand.
“I wanted to see you,” he cried.
“I imagined as much. Here I am,” responded Nathan.
Old Wilton cast his eyes rapidly upon Flora, upon Hal, and then on Nathan Gomer. For an instant he appeared perplexed, then he said to Hal—
“Flora has not seen the wonders of this place, Master Henry Vivian. Will you conduct her where she can see how the prisoners pass away their long and wearisome days of confinement? Just for a stroll.”
Hal could have told him that she had already witnessed as much as it was necessary for her to see, but he guessed that Wilton desired to be alone with Nathan Gomer, and he bowed assent.