I arranged my dress and went down-stairs, wondering who it could possibly be, and thinking over all the gentlemen I had ever known, which were not many. Somehow it never came into my head to think of Dick, and yet when I opened the door of the little parlor, there he was, looking as composed and grave in his sober riding suit, as if he had but just come over from Chester to spend Sunday at home. I don't know what I said or did at first, save that I cried, laughed, and talked all at once, till suddenly a thought came over me, which made me cry out: "Oh, Dick! You have brought me no ill news, have you?" "No, no! Very far from that," he answered me, cheerfully. "Why, Meg! How you have grown, and how handsome you are! The gentleman who met me in the hall, and to whom I made myself known, tells me that I am just in time, for that you are to be married to-morrow. How is that? I thought the great event was to be put off till spring." I explained that the time had been shortened to gratify my little lady, who was in delicate health, and who was bent on seeing the wedding. "Aye, doubtless it was a great sacrifice!" said he, in his old way. "But Dick," said I, "what wind has blown you here? I am sure something must have happened more than common." "A good wind, though a most unexpected one," he answered. "The last one I ever thought of, I am sure. Meg, my father's ship has come home, safe and sound, and with a wonderful rich freight. My father's poor venture of three hundred odd pounds is magnified tenfold, and more. Mr. Gunning tells me that our fair share of the cargo comes to five thousand pounds, and he is quite willing to advance us the money upon it." I could only sit and stare stupidly at him for a moment. Then I burst out crying, and sobbed: "Oh, if my poor father had but lived to see it!" "He will not miss it where he is," answered Richard, gravely. "But is it not wonderful?" "Wonderful, indeed," said I. "'Tis like a chapter of romance. I can hardly believe it." "Nor could I, till I saw the ship herself, and went on board of her, for you must know I have been in Bristol, and a fair and great city it is. I have had a wearisome journey." And here came in one of the men with a great tray of refreshments, sent by Mrs. Judith. And while Richard was eating, came in first my Lady, who made my brother welcome with her usual grace and courtesy, and then Walter and my Lord, and the lawyer from Biddeford, who is here now.