Their deliverer stepped forward for a moment to put the light upon the table, and immediately returning to his former position against the door, bared his head, and looked on smilingly.
'You have news of my uncle, sir ?' said Emma, turning hastily towards him.
'And of my father and mother ?' added Dolly.
'Yes,' he said.

'Good news.' 'They are alive and unhurt ?' they both cried at once.
'Yes, and unhurt,' he rejoined.
'And close at hand ?' 'I did not say close at hand,' he answered smoothly; 'they are at no great distance.

YOUR friends, sweet one,' he added, addressing Dolly, 'are within a few hours' journey.

You will be restored to them, I hope, to-night.' 'My uncle, sir--' faltered Emma.
'Your uncle, dear Miss Haredale, happily--I say happily, because he has succeeded where many of our creed have failed, and is safe--has crossed the sea, and is out of Britain.' 'I thank God for it,' said Emma, faintly.
'You say well.

You have reason to be thankful: greater reason than it is possible for you, who have seen but one night of these cruel outrages, to imagine.' 'Does he desire,' said Emma, 'that I should follow him ?' 'Do you ask if he desires it ?' cried the stranger in surprise.