“Mother, with your consent—and I am sure we shall have your consent—Rosemary will be my wife. Dear, true-hearted little mite! She would have given herself to me even if I had been nothing more than a little skipper’s mate, under the ban of suspected piracy! Her love for me was so warm—her faith in me so true—I am glad that I have the rank and wealth to offer her which will make me acceptable to her relations. But, mother, dear, Gen. Anglesea is waiting to speak to you.” “Then go and bring him in; and, Roland, you need not retire,” said the lady. CHAPTER XLVIII THE MEETING OF OLD FRIENDS Angus Anglesea entered the room, ushered in by Roland and followed by Mr. Force. Mrs. Force arose from her chair to meet her old friend, who took her hand and bowed over it respectfully. “I am very glad to see you after so many years,” said Mrs. Force, as Roland drew forward a chair for the visitor. “I wish with all my heart and soul that our meeting had been earlier! It would then have saved much misunderstanding and suffering,” said Gen. Anglesea, with a deep sigh, as he took his seat by her side. “The past is past,” said the lady. “Every one in this world has something to bear. All things considered, we have had but a small share of the universal burden,” cheerfully remarked Abel Force. “I have brought some very important documents here to place in your hands,” said Anglesea, beginning to sort a parcel of papers that he held. “You have taken much trouble to bring me these documents. How can I thank you sufficiently?” murmured the lady. “But I need no thanks for doing my duty! This is the will of the late Antonio Saviola, by which he leaves all his possessions to his grandnephew, Rolando Saviola,” said the general, laying the largest document on the small stand in front of the lady’s chair. She bowed, and took it up. “This is the certificate of your marriage with Luigi Saviola, and this a certificate of the baptism of your son. These documents were necessary to establish your son’s right to the inheritance of the Saviola estates,” he continued, placing two other papers on the table. These also the lady took up, with a bow of thanks. “Mr. Force will tell you how all these came into nay possession, if he has not already done so. And now, dear lady, having surrendered my trust, I must take my leave for the present. I have been cautioned by your physician, who is waiting in the parlor below, not to make my visit too long. I shall remain in Washington some time, and I hope I shall be permitted to see you often,” said Anglesea, as he arose to leave the room. “Must you go? Then return soon. Come often. Do come and spend the evening with us. I am quite recovered, I assure you, and shall join my family party in the drawing room after dinner,” said the lady, detaining the hand that he had given her.