“Do you hear me? Can’t you take it in yet? I tell you Lonny Bruce has come home! He is in this house at this present time; I have seen him and spoken with him.” “Do I——” “Yes, you do. You hear exactly right!” exclaimed the doctor, impatiently interrupting the bewildered speaker. “You are not dreaming nor are you mad; neither am I! You are wide awake and in your right mind, and so am I who tell you all this strange news. Now listen, Ronald Bruce, for I have got to hurry off to old Nancy Whitlock, who is in extremity. John Palmer has been waiting to take me to the Wilderness in his wagon for half an hour or more, so I have no time for further explanation. Lonny Bruce is below. No one except you and myself dreams of his presence in the house. You will find him in the long drawing-room needing all sorts of attention. Rouse yourself! Go to him! Rise to the occasion, man!” So saying the doctor hurried off, leaving the young lieutenant standing there in a state of stupefaction from which indeed he found it difficult to rise. The rumbling of the wagon wheels that carried the doctor off was the first sound that broke the spell that bound him. Then he started like one awakened from a dream, walked downstairs and opened the door leading into the long drawing-room. The place was half dark, for all the window shutters were closed; so the young lieutenant walked in slowly, peering curiously to the right and left. CHAPTER XXXIII WELCOME “Oh, it fills my soul with joy To greet my friends once more.” “Here I am! Here is your disreputable-looking cousin! I had better proclaim my name and rank, lest the good doctor has not prepared you to meet a ragamuffin!” said a voice from a remote corner as tall and shadowy figure arose and emerged from the darkness. The lieutenant threw open a window-shutter, let in a flood of light, and turned at once to meet his kinsman. “You are Leonidas Bruce! Welcome! It seems incredible—impossible! but you _are_ Leonidas Bruce! I know you at once by your eyes and smile. Welcome! Welcome! Thank Heaven, you have lived to come back to us, though at so late a day, and like one from the grave. Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!” exclaimed Ronald Bruce as he heartily shook both his cousin’s hands. If he had been of any other Christian nation than English or American he would have embraced and kissed his restored kinsman. But his greeting was felt to be sufficiently heartful. Tears sprang to Lonny’s eyes. For a few moments he could not speak at all. Then he said, with much emotion: “You are the very first who has welcomed me home, warmly and without doubt. My father drove me from his presence. One nearer and dearer fainted at the sight of me. Good Dr. Willet mistook me for a beggar and offered me alms. Only _you_ knew me and welcome me at once. But are you quite _sure_ you know me?” inquired Lonny with morbid and touching anxiety.