His thoughts were far, far away.

Light feet approached quickly; but he scarcely heeded them.

A form bent over him; but his eyes remained shut, nor did he open them until warm lips were pressed against his own, and a low voice, thrilling through his whole being, said-- "Edward!" "Agnes!" was his quick response, while his arms were thrown eagerly around the neck of his wife, "Agnes! Agnes! Have I awakened from a fearful dream ?" Yes, it was indeed her of whom he had been thinking.

The moment she received his letter, informing her that he had left for the United States, she resolved to follow him in the next steamer that sailed.
This purpose she immediately avowed to her parents.

At first, they would not listen to her; but, finding that she would, most probably, elude their vigilance, and get away in spite of all efforts to prevent her, they deemed it more wise and prudent to provide her with everything necessary for the voyage, and to place her in the care of the captain of the steamship in which she was to go.