"How, Mr M'Arthur?" exclaimed the distracted father, in wild excitement; "my daughter safe—my daughter at home! Surely you do not dare to deceive me? Swear to the truth of it—swear to the truth of it, M'Arthur, and half my fortune is yours!"
"I will, without hesitation, swear to the truth of it, sir, if you desire it, certainly, and on much easier terms than you propose. But let me first tell you what has happened."
And he proceeded to detail the whole circumstances of his adventure with the insurgent negroes, as has been already related.
When he had done, Mr M'Donald, whose feelings had been wrought to the highest pitch by the narrative, flew towards him, folded him in his arms, and said—
"God bless and prosper you, Mr M'Arthur, for what you have this day done to me and mine!"
It was all he could say. His emotion prevented further utterance.
Impatient to see his daughter, the happy father, accompanied by M'Arthur, now hastened home; and the interview between parent and child,
which instantly followed, was most affecting. Flora rushed into her father's arms, exclaiming—
"My dear father!"
She could say no more, and buried her head in his bosom.