No one could have guessed that the young man had been out into the world to seek his fortune, and had come back laden with gold, or that the older had just won back again the very light of his eyes.
Anxious as Maurice had been to avoid notice at the moment of his arrival at Cacouna, he had been seen and recognized on the wharf, and the news of his coming carried to Mr.Bellairs before he had been an hour at home.

So it happened that while the father and son sat together in the afternoon, and were already discussing the first arrangements for their return to England, a sleigh drove briskly up to the door, and Mr.and Mrs.Bellairs came in full of welcomes and congratulations.
"I knew we might come to-day," Mrs.Bellairs said, still holding her favourite's hand and scanning his face with her bright eyes.

"We shall not stay long, but it is pleasant to see you home again, Maurice." "Don't say too many kind things, Mrs.Bellairs," he answered, "or you will make me want to stay when I ought to be going." "Going! You are surely not talking of that yet ?" "Indeed I am.

We hope to be away in a fortnight." "Oh! if you _hope_ it, there is no more to be said." "If you knew how I have hoped to be here, and how disappointed I have been to-day, you would not be so hard on me." They had both sat down now and were a little apart, for the moment, from the others.

Mrs.Bellairs was surprised at Maurice's words, though she understood instantly what he meant.