'However,' said Philip, in a lighter tone, and the shadow left his face, 'it is an innocuous feeling. I know nothing more of the man since he robbed my father. I do not know where he is, whether he be still alive. He is probably dead. I have heard no tidings of him since a rumour reached us that he had gone to America, where, if he has died, I have sufficient Christianity in me to be able to say, "Peace to his ashes!"
He looked at Mrs. Cusworth. The old woman was strangely agitated, her face of the deadly hue that flesh assumes when the blood has retreated to the heart.
Janet was confused and uneasy—but that was explicable. Her mother's condition accounted for it.
'Mr. John Dale!' The maid opened the door and introduced the doctor from Bridlington.
'Mr. Dale!' Janet and her mother started up and drew a long breath, as though relieved by his appearance from a situation embarrassing and painful.
'Oh, Mr. Dale! how glad, how heartily glad we are to see you!'
Then turning, first to Philip and next to the surgeon, Janet said, with a smile: 'Now I must introduce you—my guardian and my brother-in-law prospective.'
CHAPTER XXIV.
A RECOGNITION.
Jeremiah Pennycomequick remained quietly at his friend's house at Bridlington for some weeks.