But all the while, the wandering stream of his thought was lighted and penetrated by the radiant joy of his heart. It was all true, not a dream!
He glanced again at the two in the window-seat.
His father was looking out of the lattice; but Beatrice raised her eyes to his, and smiled at him.
Sir James stood up.
“The Lieutenant is coming,” he said.
A moment later there were steps in the flagged passage; and a murmur of voices. The soldier who had brought them to the lodgings was waiting there with the order of admission, and was no doubt explaining the circumstances.
Then the door opened suddenly; and a tall soldierly-looking man, grey-haired and clean-shaven, in an officer’s dress, stood there, with the order in his hand, as the two in the window-seat rose to meet him.
“Master Torridon,” he said abruptly.
Sir James stepped forward.
“Yes, sir.”