At the altered tones of his master's voice, Snap's meek tail re-appeared fiercely from between his legs; and Snap's lungs modestly tested his position with a brief, experimental bark.

The dog's quaintly appropriate assertion of himself on his old footing was the interruption of all others which was best fitted to restore Magdalen to herself.

She caught the shaggy little terrier up in her arms and kissed _him_ next.

"You darling," she exclaimed, "you're almost as glad as I am!" She turned again to her father, with a look of tender reproach.

"You frightened me, papa," she said.