"Fortunately for me, my tribe kicked up a rumpus, and a British regiment came along and blew my tower to pieces, and very nearly blew me sky-high with it. Only, I managed to let them know in time. However, all that is a story for a winter's night." "Ah!" said I, "the General heard something of this months ago, but did not dare to hope that the prisoner was you. Then the war broke out, and we heard no more." "The fellows who had kicked open my rat-trap stayed to fight, so the matter never got reported at head-quarters. I was sorely tempted to stay with them, but the thought of the dad restrained me. I made my way through the hills and back into the regions of her Imperial Majesty's government. At some stages of that journey I was in as bad case, nearly, as I was in my tower. But why do I tell you all this? I am here anyhow, and now, how will the dad take it?" "Oh, joy never kills!" said I. He looked at me with an oddly shy look. "Perhaps you do not know,--" he began. "That you parted in anger? Oh, yes, I do! Well, I should think neither of you will ever be angry again while you live." "Oh, that's a large order!" he said laughing. "Still, I had time for repentance." "So had the General," said I. "He is never angry now." "Dear old dad!" he said; "if he isn't, I shall think the fairies have been changing him. He may be as angry as he likes with me for all the rest of his days, but I'll never take him at his word again--never." "I am glad you are ashamed of yourself," said I. "That's rubbing it in, and ungenerous, Miss Hilda, especially to a man newly come from the dead, as it were. "Hush!" I cried, for I had heard a horse's hoofs on the gravel. "Your father is coming. He must not see you suddenly. Here, come behind the screen till I have prepared him." "Don't take long, Miss Hilda, or I shall burst out upon him as soon as I hear his dear voice." "Have patience," said I; "I shall not take long." I had just time to draw the screen across his corner when the General came in, stamping with his feet as he pulled off his riding-gloves. "Ah, this is pleasant!" he said. "There's a touch of frost to-night. I hope the wind will change, or it will spoil the hunting." "I'm glad you're keen about it," said I. "Had a good day?" "Capital. I'll tell you about it when I've changed. I'm too muddy for a lady's tea-table." "You're not going to change," said I, "not till you've had a cup of tea. You're quite good enough for me," and I pushed him into a chair. "Very well, very well," he said, "it's not as it ought to be; but when a lady takes command." I began to make the tea with a hand that trembled. I was wondering what I should say next, and an occasional impatient rustle in the corner flurried me still more. "Ah!" said the General, "what is that? Oh, is it you, you rascal?" for Paudeen had made a timely appearance from behind the screen. The general reached over and took the cup of tea from my hand.