‘Lady Fitzjocelyn!’

And that very moment Mary was in Lord Ormersfield’s arms.

’My children! my dear children, happy at last!  God bless you!  This is all I ever wished!’

He held a hand of each, and looked from one to the other till Mary turned away to hide her tears of joy; and Louis, with his eyes still moist, began talking, to give her time to recover.

’You will forgive our not writing?  We landed this morning, found the last mail was not come in, and could not help coming on.  We knew you would be anxious, and thought you would not mind the suddenness.’

‘No, indeed,’ said his father; ’if all surprises were like this one!  But you are the loser, Mary.  I am afraid this is not the reception for a bride!’

‘Mary has dispensed with much that belongs to a bride,’ said Louis.  ‘See here!’ and, seizing her hand, he began pulling off her glove, till she did it for him; ’did you ever see such a wedding-ring?—­a great, solid thing of Peruvian gold, with a Spanish posy inside!’

‘I like it,’ said Mary; ‘it shows—­’

’What you are worth, eh, Mary?  Well! here we are!  It seems real at last!  And you, father, have you been well?’

’Yes, well indeed, now I have you both!  But how came you so quickly?  You never brought her across the Isthmus?’

’Indeed I did.  She would come.  It was her first act of rebellion; for we were not going to let you meet the frosts alone—­the October frosts, I mean; I hope the Dynevor Frosts are all right?’

Frampton was here seen at the open door, doubtful whether to intrude; yet, impelled by necessity, as he caught Fitzjocelyn’s eye, he, hesitating, said—­

‘My Lord, the Spanish gentleman!’

‘The greatest triumph of my life!’ cried Louis, actually clapping his hands together with ecstacy, to the butler s extreme astonishment.

‘Why, Frampton, don’t you know him?’

‘My Lord!!!’

‘Let me introduce you, then, to—­Mr. Thomas Madison!’ and, as Frampton still stood perplexed, looking at the fine, foreign-looking man, who was keeping in the background, busied with the luggage, Louis continued, ‘You cannot credit such a marvel of Peru!’

‘Young Madison, my Lord!’ repeated Frampton, slowly coming to his senses.

’No other.  He has done Lady Fitzjocelyn and all of us infinite service,’ continued Louis, quickly, to prevent Madison’s reception from receiving a fall in proportion to the grandeur of the first impression.  ’He is to stay here for a short time before going to his appointment at Bristol, in Mr. Ward’s counting-house, with a salary of 180 pounds.  I shall be much obliged if you will make him welcome.’