But almost before he could take a step the little Italian girl, Valencia, with a great cry of joy rushed forward and clasped him with both little arms, calling him, in her enthusiastic language, her illustrious, her beneficent, her beloved, her caressed, and so forth, and so forth. Ronald Bruce responded heartily, lifted her in his arms and kissed and blessed her, and then put her gently down and went forward to greet John and Susan Palmer, who both received him very cordially and pressed him to be seated and to stay to tea. Ronald Bruce in look and manner showed his willingness to do so at the same time that he explained his inability by saying that he was obliged to start immediately, as he had to walk back through the forest and half way up the mountain to The Breezes, where he was then staying with his uncle, Commodore Bruce. “Well, there,” said John Palmer; “we did hear that a retired naval officer had taken that old place, but we never heard his name. So it was the commodore. Well, sir, his place, I should say, was a good ten miles from here by the road; it is a great deal nearer by the river. Now, sir, there’s no need for you to walk it at all. If so be you must go back, why, there’s a dozen horses in the stable needing exercise, the best of ’em heartily at your service. But—would the old gentleman be anxious if you was to stay out all night?” “Oh, no!” laughed the young man. “He retires to his study so early that he would not know it.” “Well, then, sir, here’s my offer to you—the best horse in the stable if you _must_ go; or a hearty welcome to the best room in the house if you can stay,” said John cordially. “Do stay, Mr. Bruce. We should all be happy to have you,” added Susan Palmer, glad of the chance to offer hospitality. The little Italian girl caught his hand and held it tightly while she lifted her dark, bright, eager eyes pleadingly to his. But Ronald Bruce sought the eyes of Em., which said nothing, their glance being fixed upon the ground. Nevertheless, the young man thanked the hospitable couple and accepted their invitation as frankly as it was given. CHAPTER VI THE GUEST Welcome he is in hut and hall, To maids and matrons, men and all. PRAED. To the isolated family in the Wilderness Manor the sight of a stranger was a rare event, and the entertainment of a guest an unprecedented one. So Ronald Bruce’s frank acceptance of their cordial invitation to stay to supper and spend the night threw every member of the household into a flutter of excitement. Susan Palmer, signing to Em. to keep her seat and entertain her visitor, arose and withdrew into the house. Ann Whitlock and old Monica got up and followed her. And the three women stood together in the kitchen and held a council of cookery as to what should be provided for so “distinguished” a guest.