Suddenly her eyes encountered a well-known noble form, seated on a
beautiful spirited horse, which he was holding in with a strong and
resolute hand.
"Papa!" she exclaimed, with a joyous, ringing cry; and instantly he had
dismounted, his servant taking Selim's bridle-reins, the carriage had
stopped, and springing out she was in his arms.
"My dear father, I was so hungry to see you," she said, almost crying for
joy. "How good of you to come to meet us, and so much nicer here than in
the crowded depot."
"Good of me," he answered, with a happy laugh. "Of course, as I was in no
haste to have my darling in my arms. Ah, Travilla, my old friend, I am
very glad to see your pleasant face again." And he shook hands warmly.
"Many thanks to you (and to a higher power)," he added reverently, "for
bringing her safely back to me. She seems to have been well taken care of;
plump and bright and rosy."
"I have been, papa; even you could not be more tender and careful of me
than--my husband is."
Her father smiled at the shy, half-hesitating way in which the last word
slipped from the rich red lips, and the tender, loving light in the soft
eyes as they met the fond, admiring gaze of Travilla's.
"No repentance on either side yet, I see," he said laughingly.
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