She then went on to whisper that first she must to London, and that she would bring back Cuthbert Trevlyn with her, and be with them again on the Christmas Eve.  More than this she would not say; but Lady Humbert trusted her implicitly, and after that she went about the house with a bright face and brisk step, laughed at Cherry’s wistful looks, and declared that she would wait no longer for the absentee, but on Christmas Eve would have up out of the strongroom all the treasure hidden there, and would hand it over to its lawful owners, the Trevlyns—­Sir Richard, as head of the house, being the fittest person now to have charge of it.

There was a little murmur of remonstrance, Cuthbert’s name being mentioned.  Was it fair to do anything till he returned?  But some persons began to fear he never would be seen again.  All were deeply interested in the treasure; and Lady Humbert clinched the matter by declaring that her mind was made up, and that she would do as she had said.

What a wonderful sight it was as piece after piece of rich old plate, some gold, some silver, all richly chased and embossed, was brought by the servants and placed by Lady Humbert’s direction upon the long tables in the old banqueting hall, now unused for half a century!  Breathless and wondering, the Trevlyns stood by watching, Sir Richard exclaiming in delighted recognition of various family heirlooms he had often heard described, and which transcended even the fancies he had formed about them.  And, besides the wonderful plate, there were jewels and gold in abundance, small coffers filled with golden coins and precious stones, sufficient for a king’s ransom.

Kate stood clinging to Culverhouse’s arm, her eyes as bright as stars.  It was to her the realization of a wonderful dream; and as she gazed and gazed upon the sparkling hoard, which she knew would smooth her own path in life and that of the lover of her choice, she glanced up at him with kindling glances to say: 

“Nay, but what a splendid treasure!  I never dreamed of aught like this!  But oh, it seems to spoil it all not to have Cuthbert!  It was he who found it, when nearly all the rest of the world derided the hope of such a thing.  Oh, why is he not here to be with us today?”

“Why not, indeed?”

A door at the far end of the room was thrown suddenly open.  Lady Humbert, who had withdrawn herself for a few moments, came forward smiling and beaming, and behind her—­who?

Petronella, who was standing at Philip’s side, not far away, uttered a quick, sharp cry of rapture, and flung herself into Cuthbert’s arms.

“Cuthbert!” cried Kate, with a forward bound; and the next minute Cuthbert was surrounded by a crowd of eager questioners, and so belaboured with greetings, inquiries, and congratulations that he himself could not get in a word, but stood looking smilingly from one to another till his eyes met the eager, wistful glance of a pair of limpid blue ones, and with a quick cry of “Cherry!” he shook off the detaining clasp of all other hands, and went straight across to the spot where she stood blushing, quivering, and hardly able to believe the evidences of her senses.