Having done ample penance in the storm, he shook the rain from his hat and knocked timidly at the door, to which he placed his ear and listened, as if counting with great exactness every second that intervened between its opening.  Presently a little window at the side opened and a lean but well-browned face, framed in the grim border of a dusky night-cap, protruded.  Then a sharp, shrill voice inquired, “Who’s there?”

“Heaven be blessed, Polly, it is your husband Roger!” replied the traveler, as the words faltered in his chattering teeth.  Exclamations of joy so various that they have entirely escaped the writer of this history, followed this glad announcement.  Thrice the good woman invoked the blessings of the angels; and, in truth, so bent did she seem on going mad with joy, that it was not for several minutes that she bethought herself of opening the door.  But when she did, not a second elapsed until they were in each other’s arms, unburdening their affections in kisses and such other tokens of the deep seated love they bore each other, that for minutes, and even hours, it seemed impossible they could survive their joys, which I here confess (lest some critic set me down for a malicious writer,) ran into tears, such being the most pious proof of perfect happiness.

When, then, they had wiped away their tears of joy, and were more composed, the good woman, having bid Roger be seated, said, “A merciful providence, dear Roger, must have hovered over all your undertakings, or you could not have gained them kingdoms you described in your letter-”

“Umph!” returned Roger, hanging down and shaking his head, “the kingdoms would be well enough if they did not slip so easily through one’s fingers.  And what is more, dear Polly, I have come to know that there is only one kingdom an honest man need have a longing for, which is the Kingdom of Heaven.  Therefore, I am resolved for the rest of my days to covet no other.”

“But you talk strangely, husband; for I can vow of my own knowledge that you would not have conquered all them kingdoms without bringing home cart-loads of gold.  We have had a terrible struggle for bread, dear husband!”

“You surprise me, Polly! did I not send you a purse full of doubloons not long since?”

“The one you sent it with must have mistaken the road, husband, for he has not showed his face here.”

“Here’s where the kingdoms pinch,” muttered Roger to himself; while at the same moment a little boy unrolled himself from the covering of a bed on the floor, and crying “father! father!” ran to the general, threw his little arms about his neck, and kissed him, and fondled over him, like one whose love knew no bounds.  And these caresses the father returned with great paternal tenderness; but he was too much dejected in spirit to offer the child those merry tokens of his attachment which had so often amused him in days gone-by.

“Though I have conquered kingdoms enough, Polly,” said the general, his eyes moistening with tears, “I am none the better for them now.  In truth, I have nothing but the clothes I stand in; and having resolved that it was best to be an honest man, I was glad enough to get safely home, and wash my hands of these kingdoms, which I have left behind for them who have a turn for such things.”