He said this before he appeared to notice Mr Raglan. I felt somewhat embarrassed as to what to do, but I thought it best to introduce him before Mrs Dear and Miss Kitty came in.
I scarcely knew what effect the sudden announcement that his daughter was actually in his sight might have on the old officer. I resolved, in the first instance, simply to tell Mr Dear that his unknown visitor was a naval officer, who, having been shipwrecked, had come home in the Harmony, and then to get him to leave the room with me, that I might consult him in private. I did as I intended.
“I am very glad to see you, sir,” exclaimed Mr Dear. “Pray be seated on this sofa, and excuse me: my young friend here has a word or two to say to me. Come along, Charley,” and we left the room.
As soon as we were in the passage I told him who the officer was.
“Bless me!” he cried out, “that is extraordinary. I am, indeed, delighted. Will you go back and tell him that you hope his daughter will soon be with him, and then slip out again, and we will prepare Miss Kitty. I want your assistance, for I am afraid I shall be letting the truth out too soon.”
I felt somewhat nervous, but I managed to break the news to my friend, and then, hurrying out. I joined Mr Dear in the garden. We found the ladies seated in an arbour at the further end. Miss Kitty, knowing me at once, uttered a cry of surprise, and ran forward with outstretched hands to meet me.
“I do not believe in ghosts,” she said, “or I might have supposed that I saw yours. How did you escape?”
“What, is this Charley Laurel?” cried Mrs Dear, giving me a kind welcome, before I could answer Miss Kitty’s question, which she herself repeated.
I soon told them, and this gave me an opportunity of mentioning the shipwrecked officer who had saved my life. I went on describing him, keeping my eyes fixed on Miss Kitty’s face, till she exclaimed suddenly:
“Oh, Charley, tell me; is he not my father? And you say he came home with you?”