"No, my dear, I have but just arrived. Claudia, immediately upon my landing I took the first train north, and reached Edinboro' this morning. I sent my party on to Magruder's Hotel and took a fly and drove immediately out here. I have but just been admitted to the house and sent my card in to the hostess. And, ah, I see that my messenger has returned." A servant in livery came up, bowed, and said: "My lady directs me to say to you, sir, that she will see you immediately in the drawing room, unless you would prefer to go first to the apartments which are prepared for you, sir." The judge hesitated, and then turned to his daughter and whispered the inquiry: "How do I look, Claudia? Presentable?" Lady Vincent ran her eyes over the traveler and answered: "Not at all presentable, papa. You look just as one might expect you to do--black with smoke and dust and cinders, as if you had traveled in the train all night." "Which of course I did." "And I think you would be all the better for a visit to your rooms, papa. Come, I will show you the way, for I am as much at home here as ever I was at dear old Tanglewood. James," she said, turning to the footman who had brought the message, "you need not wait. I will show my papa his rooms; but you may order breakfast for him, for I dare say he has had none. Come, papa!" And so saying Claudia marshaled her father upstairs to the handsome suite of apartments that had been made ready for him. When he had renovated his toilet, he declared himself ready to go below and be presented to his hostess. Claudia conducted him downstairs and into "my lady's little drawing room." CHAPTER XL. FATHER AND DAUGHTER. How deep, how thorough felt the glow Of rapture, kindling out of woe; How exquisite one single drop Of bliss, that sparkling to the top Of misery's cup, is keenly quaffed Though death must follow soon the draught. --_Moore_. The countess was sitting on one of the armchairs near the fire when Claudia led the judge up before her, saying only: "Lady Hurstmonceux, my father." The countess arose and held out her hand with a smile of welcome, saying: "It gives me much joy to see you safe, after all your dangers, Judge Merlin. Pray sit near the fire." The judge retained her hand in his own for a moment, while he bowed over it and answered: "I thank you for your kind expressions, dear Lady Hurstmonceux. But, oh! what terms shall I find strong enough to thank you for the noble support you have given my daughter in her great need?" "Believe me, I was very happy to be serviceable to Lady Vincent," replied the countess gently. Then, turning to Claudia, she said: "Your father has probably not had breakfast." "No; but I assumed the privilege of ordering it for him," replied the latter. "The 'privilege' was yours without assumption, my dear. You did exactly right," said the countess.