e arrival of Sybil at Mowbray Castle the scout
that Mr Mountchesney had sent off to gather news returned, and with
intelligence of the triumph of Gerard's eloquence, that all had ended
happily, and that the people were dispersing and returning to the town.

Kind as was the reception accorded to Sybil by Lady de Mowbray and her
daughter on her arrival, the remembrance of the perilous position of her
father had totally disqualified her from responding to their advances.
Acquainted with the cause of her anxiety and depression and sympathising
with womanly softness with her distress, nothing could be more
considerate than their behaviour. It touched Sybil much, and she
regretted the harsh thoughts that irresistible circumstances had forced
her to cherish respecting persons, who, now that she saw them in
their domestic and unaffected hour, had apparently many qualities to
conciliate and to charm. When the good news arrived of her father's
safety, and safety achieved in a manner so flattering to a daughter's
pride, it came upon a heart predisposed to warmth and kindness and all
her feelings opened. The tears stood in her beautiful eyes, and they
were tears not only of tenderness but gratitude. Fortunately Lord
de Mowbray was at the moment absent, and as the question of the
controverted inheritance was a secret to every member of the family
except himself, the name of Gerard excited no invidious sensation in
the circle. Sybil was willing to please and to be pleased: every one
was captivated by her beauty, her grace, her picturesque expression and
sweet simplicity. Lady de Mowbray serenely smiled and frequently when
unobserved viewed her through her eyeglass. Lady Joan, much softened by
marriage, would show her the castle; Lady Maud was in ecstasies with all
that Sybil said or did: while Mr Mountchesney who had thought of little
else but Sybil ever since Lady Maud's report of her seraphic singing,
and who had not let four-and-twenty hours go by without discovering,
with all the practised art of St James', the name and residence of the
unknown fair, flattered himself he was making great play when Sybil,
moved by his great kindness, distinguished him by frequent notice.
They had viewed the castle, they were in the music-room, Sybil had been
prevailed upon, though with reluctance, to sing. Some Spanish church
music which she found there called forth all her powers: all was
happiness, delight, rapture, Lady Maud in a frenzy of frien