All made way for him smilingly, for the secret of his love was an open one now, and Cherry had endeared herself to all the family by her gentleness and pretty, clinging ways.

“Sweetheart,” he said, “I come to claim thee at last, and to claim thee with thy good father’s ready consent and promised blessing.  Cherry, it is to Jacob’s devotion and generosity that we owe this happiness, for he it was who saved my life, and might well have risked his own to do so.  But he thought not of that; he only thought how he might serve me, and redeem a promise he had made to thee.  And now he has his reward.  He was wedded to thy sister a short week back, being unwilling to wait longer.  And he bids me give thee a brother’s love and greeting, hoping that thou wilt find a place for a brother in thine heart, and wilt give to him a sister’s love.”

“Oh, that indeed I will!  Good Jacob! kind Jacob!” cried Cherry, who, bewildered by this rush of happiness, scarce knew what she said or did; but it was enough that she had Cuthbert back again safe and sound.

To her the voices questioning and exclaiming and eagerly displaying to her lover the treasure he had never been able to examine and had never seen massed together, sounded like the murmur of troubled waters.  She stood with Cuthbert’s hand in hers, gazing at him as one in a dream, and it was only when Lady Humbert took her hand and imprinted a kiss upon her cheek that she seemed suddenly to awake from her trance.

“There, little one!  I trow thou dost not half know what is in store for thee!  We shall lose our merry Kate, who must be transformed into the Viscountess Culverhouse, instead of going home chastened and repentant for her mad folly, as was once hoped, after her imprisonment here.  And as for our quiet Petronella, she too is to find a home of her own with Master Philip, whose share of this golden treasure will give him all he needs.  But as for thee, little one, Cross Way House will still be thy home; for Cuthbert will be content to abide here with us so long as we live, and reign here with thee after we are gone.

“So thou wilt still be beneath the stern rule of an aunt, little one.  How wilt thou like that?  But thou wilt have a husband to protect thee, so that thou needest not fear too greatly.

“Say, pretty child, art thou content with Cross Way House for a home; or dost thou wish to seek for another?”

Cherry’s answer was to put her arms timidly but lovingly about Lady Humbert’s neck, as she answered, with a little sob of pure happiness: 

“With Cuthbert I should be happy anywhere, and I love Cross Way House dearly.  If you will have me, I will gladly stay and strive to be a daughter to you and Mistress Dowsabel.  It is all like some wonderful, beautiful dream.  I never thought the lost treasure of Trevlyn could bring such happiness with it!”

The end.