Elizabeth now, in all gladness, wrote a hasty note; desiring Mr. Colville to come to them, that all might at once be arranged. "And Gerard, dear father," she said, "we must write to Mr. Neville, to recall him from his far and fruitless journey." "Mr. Neville is in Liverpool," said Osborne; "I saw him the very day before I came away--he doubtless was on the look--out for me, and I dare swear Hoskins betrayed me. We must be on our guard--" "Fear nothing from Mr. Neville," replied Elizabeth; "he is too good and generous not to advocate justice and truth. He is convinced of my father's innocence." They were interrupted--the solicitor entered--Osborne's appearance was beyond his hopes--he could not believe in so much good fortune. He had begun to doubt, suspect, and fear--he speedily carried off his godsend, as he named him, to talk over, and bring into form his evidence, and all that appertained to his surrender--thus leaving Falkner with his adopted child. Such a moment repaid for much; for Elizabeth's hopes were high, and she knelt before Falkner, embracing his knees, thanking Heaven in a rapture of gratitude. He also was thankful; yet mortification and wounded pride struggled in his heart with a sense of gratitude for unhoped-for preservation. His haughty spirit rebelled against the obligation he owed to so mean a man as Osborne. It required hours of meditation--of reawakened remorse for Alithea's fate--of renewed wishes that she should be vindicated before all the world--of remembered love for the devoted girl at his feet, to bring him back from the tumult of contending passions, to the fortitude and humility which he at every moment strove to cultivate. Elizabeth's sweet voice dispelled such storms, and rewarded him for the serenity he at last regained. It was impossible not to feel sympathy in her happiness, and joy in possessing the affection of so gentle, yet so courageous and faithful a heart. Elizabeth's happiness was even more complete when she left, him, and sat in her solitary room--there, where Gerard had so lately visited her, and his image, and her gratitude towards him mingled more with her thoughts: her last act that night was to write to him, to tell him what had happened. It was her note that he received at Liverpool on the eve of his second departure, and which had changed his purpose. He had immediately set out for London to communicate the good tidings to Lady Cecil. CHAPTER XLVII