“Just what you like. But as to our dear sister, I want you to express to my father her delight and gratitude when I gave her his love, and told her that there was still a place for her in the old home. And then would you find out from him or through our aunt how soon she may come back to us? for I want to get her out of this place. When she is once in her old home again she will be safe out of the clutches of her cruel husband. I will wait here for an answer, which you can send me by post; and, should that answer warrant poor Julia’s return at once, I will see all things got ready, and will bring her myself. And, should there be anything in the way of her returning immediately, I can remove her for a time to where her children are, as I shall be better able to keep my eye upon her there.”
“All right, Amos; I’m not afraid of leaving you here now, for I am as fully persuaded as you are that Mr Vivian has had such a lesson as he won’t forget in a hurry, and that he will make himself pretty scarce for some time to come. You shall hear from me by to-morrow’s post.—Ah, but there’s another thing: am I to say anything about the children? for if poor Julia is to come back we shall have to make room for the children as well.”
“Nay, dear Walter,” said his brother, “I think it would be better to say nothing about the children; they are safe and happy where they are. Let us leave the matter to our dear father. When Julia has got her old place in his house and heart back again, I feel sure that it will not be long before he bids her himself send for the children. Don’t you think it will be better that it should come from himself?”
“Just so, Amos; you are right, as usual. Well, this is a capital ending to a queer beginning. And what will old Harry say to see ‘Miss Julia as was’ turning up ‘Mistress Julia as is’? Oh, won’t it be capital fun to see him welcome her back!” So Walter set off on his homeward journey in high spirits, and in due time reached his destination brimful of news and excitement.
“All well, I hope?” asked his father, who, with his aunt, met him in the hall on his arrival.
“Oh yes, father, it’s all well, and a deal better than all well—it’s all best.” Then the three gathered round the fire in Mr Huntingdon’s library, and Walter told his story. Deep was the emotion of Mr Huntingdon and his sister, and deeper still their thankfulness, when they heard of the happy conclusion of the terrible and exciting meeting between Amos and his brother-in-law.
“And you did nobly and wisely yourself, my dear boy,” said the squire. “I believe you have given that wretched scoundrel his quietus so far as we are concerned.—And what of your poor sister? Are we to expect her soon?”
“That’s what I’ve got to write to Amos about,” replied his son. “As soon as you are ready to receive her she will be only too thankful to come.”
“Let her come at once—write by this night’s post,” cried his father in an agitated voice. “Poor dear child, I long to welcome her back again; and I think, if I am not mistaken, that your aunt has been making some quiet preparations, so that it will not be inconvenient to you, Kate, for her to come at once, will it?”
“Not in the least,” replied his sister; “I have been earnestly hoping and praying for this.”