The beautiful illumination had passed too quickly.
"We shall stand again in this glory, my child, nay, in a far more beautiful one," said her father consolingly, "when we are all together again, your mother and you and I, where there will be no more parting and the glory will be everlasting." As they climbed up the high staircase to say good night to Uncle and Aunt, the latter awaited them on the landing, making all sorts of silent signs of alarm and distress, but she did not utter a sound until she had them safely within the sitting room.

Then, having softly closed the door, she broke forth complainingly, "How can you make me so uneasy, dear brother?
I have been dreadfully anxious about you.

I imagined all kinds of shocking accidents that might have happened, and made you so late in returning home! How can you be so heedless as to forget that it is not safe for you to stay out after sunset.

Now I am sure that you have taken cold.

And what will happen, who can tell?
Something dreadful, I am certain." "Calm yourself, I beg you, dear Ninette," said the Major soothingly, as soon as he could get in a word.