His mother said little, but sat holding his hand in hers.
"It has been a wonderful escape, Vincent," she said when he had finished.

"Bring your Lucy here when you like and I shall be ready to receive her as my daughter, and to love her for her own sake as well as yours.

She must be not only a brave girl but a noble girl, and you did perfectly right to lose not a single day after you had taken her safely home in asking her to be your wife.

I am glad to think that some day the Orangery will have so worthy a mistress.

I will write to her at once.
You have not yet told us what she is like, Vincent." "I am not good at descriptions, but you shall see her photograph, when I get it." "What, haven't you got one now ?" "She had not one to give me.