CHAPTER LXXI.
RICHES HAVE WINGS.
They rang at the door of Boniface Newt.

It was quite late in the evening, and when they entered the parlor there were several persons sitting there.
"Why! father and mother!" exclaimed Gabriel, who was sitting in a remote dim corner, and who instantly came forward, with May Newt following him.
Mrs.Newt rose and bowed a little stiffly, and said, in an excited voice, that really she had no idea, but she was very happy indeed, she was sure, and so was Mr.Newt.When she had tied her sentence in an inextricable knot, she stopped and seated herself.
Boniface Newt rose slowly and gravely.

He was bent like a very old man.
His eye was hard and dull, and his dry voice said: "How do you do?
I am happy to see you." Then he sat down again, while Lawrence went up and shook hands with the new-comers.

Boniface drummed slowly upon his knees with the long, bony white fingers, and rocked to and fro mechanically, as he sat.
When Lawrence had ended his greetings there was a pause.

Mrs.Newt seemed to be painfully conscious of it.