"No, no, my dear. Only going to walk up and down," said the old man as he left his chair. "When he grasps all this, and your dread of Harry's arrest, and that it was all nonsense--there, lie back still, it is more restful so. That's better," he said, kissing her, and drawing away. "When, I say, he fully knows that it was all nonsense due to confounded Aunt Margaret and her noble Frenchmen, and that instead of an elopement with some scoundrel, you were only performing a sisterly duty, he'll take you in his arms--" Uncle Luke was on the far side of the room now, and in obedience to his signs, and trembling violently, George Vine had gone slowly towards the vacated seat. "You think he will, uncle, and forgive me?" she faltered, as she lay back still with her eyes closed. "Think, my darling? I'm sure of it. Yes, he'll take you in his arms." A quiet sigh. "And say--" George Vine sank trembling into the empty chair. "Forgive me, my child, for ever doubting you." "Oh, no, uncle." "And I say, yes; and thank God for giving me my darling back once more." "Forgive me! Thank God for giving me my darling back once more! Louise!" "Father!" A wild, sobbing cry, as they two were locked in each other's arms. At that moment the door was closed softly, and Uncle Luke stood blowing his nose outside upon the mat. "Nearly seventy, and sobbing like a child," he muttered softly. "Dear me, what an old fool I am!" Volume 3, Chapter XXI. LESLIE MAKES AN ANNOUNCEMENT. It was a week before the London doctor said that Louise Vine might undertake the journey down home, but when it was talked of she looked up at her father in a troubled way. "It would be better, my darling," he whispered. "You shrink from going back to the old place. Why should you, where there will be nothing but love and commiseration?" "It is not that," she said sadly. "Harry!" "Yes! But we can do no more by staying here." "Not a bit," said Uncle Luke. "Let's get down to the old sea-shore again, Louie. If we stop here much longer I shall die. Harry's safe enough somewhere. Let's go home." Louise made no more opposition, and it was decided that they should start at once, but the journey had to be deferred on account of business connected with Pradelle's examination. This was not talked of at the hotel, and Louise remained in ignorance of a great deal of what took place before they were free to depart. That journey down was full of painful memories for Louise, and it was all she could do to restrain her tears as the train stopped at the station, which was associated in her mind with her brother, and again and again she seemed to see opposite to her, shrinking back in the corner by the window nearest the platform, the wild, haggard eyes and the frightened furtive look at every passenger that entered the carriage.