In short,the wayfarer,who had at first been so coldly received,contrived by his frank and engaging manner to draw the ladies of the kitchen into a most confidential conversation,in which Laura's history was minutely detailed,from the day of her husband's departure to the present.The salient feature in all their discourse was her unflagging devotion to his memory.
Having apparently learned all that he wanted to know--among other things that she was at this moment,as always,alone--the traveller said he was quite dry;and thanking the servants for their kindness,departed as he had come.On emerging into the darkness he did not,however,go down the avenue by which he had arrived.He simply walked round to the front door.There he rang,and the door was opened to him by a man-servant whom he had not seen during his sojourn at the other end of the house.
In answer to the servant's inquiry for his name,he said ceremoniously,'Will you tell The Honourable Mrs.Northbrook that the man she nursed many years ago,after a frightful accident,has called to thank her?'
The footman retreated,and it was rather a long time before any further signs of attention were apparent.Then he was shown into the drawing-room,and the door closed behind him.
On the couch was Laura,trembling and pale.She parted her lips and held out her hands to him,but could not speak.But he did not require speech,and in a moment they were in each other's arms.
Strange news circulated through that mansion and the neighbouring town on the next and following days.But the world has a way of getting used to things,and the intelligence of the return of The Honourable Mrs.Northbrook's long-absent husband was soon received with comparative calm.