It was a good day indeed when madam and her daughter came here, they have made themselves so loved by the tenants that they would do anything for them.

Ah, if all the ladies of France had been as good to their people as they have been, we should not have these troubles on hand! Here they come to welcome you." Hector hurried across the outer court, where two lines of palings had been erected, forming a passage from one gate to the other, and keeping back the animals that crowded the enclosure.
"Welcome back, welcome back, Colonel Campbell!" the baroness said as she came up with both hands extended, and her words were echoed by her daughter.

In the year that had elapsed since they started under the charge of Paolo both had changed.

The look of care and anxiety, which had been heightened by the terrible events of the two previous days, had passed from the elder lady's face, and had been succeeded by one of contentment and happiness.
Norah showed an even greater change; she had now attained her full height, her figure had filled out, and she stood on the threshold of womanhood and bid fair to attain a high degree of beauty of the type characteristic of her nationality.

Her hair was dark, her eyes gray, her expression changing rapidly from grave to gay, the latter movement generally predominating.
"I need hardly ask, madam," Hector said as they entered the chateau, "whether you have been comfortable here, for your face shows that you have at least been contented with your lot as chatelaine." "I have been more than contented, I have been very happy, Monsieur Campbell.