I wonder who this visitor may be?
Some Wyvern, belike; but doubtless we shall learn to take pleasure in each other.
"Soft! are those steps without?
Yes; and some one knocks at the door.
"Enter, enter, I pray.

I am right glad--What! do my eyes deceive me?
Sure I am in some strange dream! Petronella! Surely it cannot be Petronella! The features are the same; but the Petronella I once knew was wan and frail as a fair wood lily, and thou--nay, but it cannot be!" "But it is--it is!" cried the girl, making a bound forward and flinging her arms round Kate's neck in an ecstasy of happiness; "and, O Kate, I have seen him again! I saw him ride to the door by thy side! Perchance I shall even have words with him ere he journey forth again! Ah, how rejoiced was I when I heard that thou wert coming! O Kate, I have such news for thee--such news, such news!" The two girls were folded in each other's arms.

Between every few words they paused to kiss and laugh in the very exuberance of their happiness.

It seemed like a dream to Kate; she could scarce believe her eyes.
"Petronella--but how earnest thou here ?" "I came when the weather grew so inclement that Cuthbert would no longer let me share his forest life.

He brought me to this house, and our aunts, when they heard our story, opened their doors to me; and I have been here three whole weeks--ever since the summer's heats broke in storms of rain.