As soon as Miss Minchell had passed through the door he quietly laid his hand upon Julia's arm, and with a gesture beckoned her back into the room.
"Pardon my seeming levity, Miss Wallingford," he said in a grave and gentle voice, "but you know not what emotions I had to contend with! I thank you for your charming sympathy, and I beg you to accept in my uncle's name that salute by which his followers distinguish the faithful." And he thereupon kissed the blushing girl with a heartiness that restored her confidence in him completely.
"Well," he said to himself as he retired with his candle, "I've managed to get a fair penn'orth out of it after all.".