Coley stood looking after him for a few moments in silence, and then said to himself, in a voice full of emphasis: “Well, there's just one of his kind and there ain't any other.” Then he set out at a run for the Institute.
It was Kate herself who came to answer Ranald's ring.
“I knew it was you,” she cried, with her hand eagerly outstretched and her face alight with joy. “Come in, we are all waiting for you, and prepare to be surprised.” When they came to the drawing-room she flung open the door and with great ceremony announced “The man from Glengarry, as Harry would say.”
“Hello, old chap!” cried Harry, springing to his feet, but Ranald ignored him. He greeted Kate's mother warmly for she had shown him a mother's kindness ever since he had come to the city, and they were great friends, and then he turned to Mrs. Murray, who was standing waiting for him, and gave her both his hands.
“I knew from Kate's letter,” he said, “that it would be you, and I cannot tell you how glad I am.” His voice grew a little unsteady and he could say no more. Mrs. Murray stood holding his hands and looking into his face.
“It cannot be possible,” she said, “that this is Ranald Macdonald! How changed you are!” She pushed him a little back from her. “Let me look at you; why, I must say it, you are really handsome!”
“Now, auntie,” cried Harry, reprovingly, “don't flatter him. He is utterly ruined now by every one, including both Kate and her mother.”
“But really, Harry,” continued Mrs. Murray, in a voice of delighted surprise, “it is certainly wonderful; and I am so glad! And I have been hearing about your work with the boys at the Institute, and I cannot tell you the joy it gave me.”
“Oh, it is not much that I have done,” said Ranald, deprecatingly.
“Indeed, it is a noble work and worthy of any man,” said Mrs. Murray, earnestly, “and I thank God for you.”