"Well, my dear old daddy! I'm afraid I've made you very anxious; but it was not my fault; and I knew you would be certain I should come at last, eh?"
"My son! my son!" murmured the old man. "You won't go away again, dear boy? I'm getting old and forgetful; and I don't think I could bear it again, you see."
"Never again, as long as I live, daddy."
Mark Armsworth burst out blubbering like a great boy.
"I said so! I always said so! The devil could not kill him and God wouldn't."
"Tom," said his father presently, "you have not spoken to Grace yet. She is my daughter now, Tom, and has been these twelve months past."
"If she is not, she will be soon," said Tom, quietly. With that he walked straight out of the room to find Grace in the passage.
And Grace lay silent in his arms.