“It was better so,” the baronet murmured, with a sigh. “It was better to have you think me dead, than guilty of the unfaithfulness which she was led to believe of me. But, my darling,” he added, holding her off and gazing tenderly into her fair, young face, “you are very like what your mother was when I first saw her, and it is no wonder I was so attracted toward you the other night at Lady Dunforth’s.” “Were you?” Virgie asked, looking up eagerly; “it is very strange, but it almost seemed to me as if I had known you in some previous state of existence! The sound of your voice moved me deeply and I could hardly restrain my tears when you gave me your hand at parting.” “It was the instinct of natural affection. Oh! it is such delight to have found both my loved ones; and yet,” he added, with a twinkle of his eyes, “I am afraid I am not destined to have the exclusive right to but one of them for very long.” Virgie blushed crimson and hid her face on her father’s shoulder at this allusion to her engagement. He raised it and kissed her softly on her lips. “I shall not be inconsolable,” he said, smiling, “for if I have to resign something of my claim upon you, I shall thereby secure a son whom I have always loved as such. Rupert is a noble fellow, and he shall have my heartiest blessing, also, when I give him my daughter.” Virgie looked up archly at these words. “I think that you and Rupert must have a mutual admiration for each other,” she said, “for he is very fond of extolling his guardian; and, papa, I believe—I think you are very nice, too.” Sir William laughed. It was very sweet to find her so fond; he had feared that, never having known what it was to have a father, she would be shy and reserved at first. “There will be mutual admiration between you and me if you say such pleasant things,” he returned, with another caress. “How much you are like your mother!—the resemblance grows upon me constantly,” he added, gazing closely into her lovely face, “all save your eyes; those, I think, are very like mine, my pet.” “Yes, and mamma has always told me that they are the dearest thing about me for that reason,” Virgie answered. Sir William turned to gather his other Virgie into his embrace—she having entered at that moment—a happy smile on his lips at this fresh evidence of her faithfulness to him. CHAPTER XXV. THREADS GATHERED UP. Lord Norton was at once informed of the romantic incidents connected with his niece’s early life, and while he sympathized with the trials and sorrow to which she had been subjected, he also expressed his gratification that all had ended so well, and she would henceforth occupy so proud a position.