Gerard felt an unaccountable pang at the sight of him.

However, the man turned out to be past fifty years of age, an old soldier, whom Gerard remembered to have seen shoot at the butts with admirable force and skill.

Another minute and the youth stood before them.

Margaret looked up and dropped her work, and uttered a faint cry, and was white and red by turns.

But these signs of emotion were swiftly dismissed, and she turned far more chill and indifferent than she would if she had not betrayed this agitation.
"What! is it you, Master Gerard?
What on earth brings you here, I wonder ?" "I was passing by and saw you; so I thought I would give you good day, and ask after your father." "My father is well.