She moved to the entrance, but at that moment Mrs. Eastman entered the library in the section beyond the folding doors. Muriel sprang, caught her in her arms, and gazed with all her soul in her eyes, into her pale countenance. Mrs. Eastman had not caught sight of the body, but she saw Bagasse and the Captain, and knew at once that something unusual had happened, and with a startled glance at the averted faces of the group, she looked with ashen features at Muriel.
“Mother,” said Muriel, in a firm, proud voice, “look at me. Am I not happy?”
Mrs. Eastman gazed with a wan smile at the radiant countenance of her daughter.
“Yes, dear,” she wonderingly murmured; “I never saw you look more so. But why are you joyful?”
“Because this is a day of joy, mother,” replied Muriel. “It is the joy of joys to-day. Heaven touches earth with me, and I am happy. Mother, the poor man who was stolen from us is saved! John has ransomed him!”
“Why!” exclaimed Mrs. Eastman, starting, with a bright smile, in her daughter’s arms. “This is indeed good news. But what do you mean—how did John ransom him?”
“With a great price, my mother,” cried Muriel, a brilliant smile irradiating her inspired features. “A price which I am willing and proud to pay. Are you?”
“I would pay any price for such a good as this,” replied Mrs. Eastman, with some wonder visible in her joy.
“Any, mother?”
“Yes, any.”