eemed to her like a shout of great multitudes, the
roar of a mighty sea of voices, and it was coming nearer and nearer the
house.

"Hurrah! Hurrah!"

"God bless ye!"

"He's saved!"

"He's innocent!"

"The truth has come out!"

She could only faintly distinguish the words, but this was what she
thought she heard. It was like the roar of a great storm, the shout of
a mighty multitude.

Still it came nearer and nearer, and the volume of sound ever increased.

The woman in her bed laughed. "Don't you see?" she said. "I left
Manchester only yesterday, and that lassie came with me. Where is she
noo? She'll be gone to meet Paul. Just think of it! I didn't think
he could clear himself so soon, but she thought--ah, never mind what
she thought!"

Still the roar of voices continued, ever increasing in volume and
jubilancy.

"Don't you see?" went on Paul's mother. "The crowd knew he would come,
and they met him at Brunford station, and they're bringing him home as
he ought to be brought home. But I must not be here, in bed, I must
get up!"

"No, no," said the nurse. "You're not well enough for that!"

"Not well enough! I'm all right. My Paul must not find me like a sick
woman when he comes. He must find me up and dressed, ready to meet
him. Quick, quick!"

She got out of bed of her own accord. "There," she said. "You say I'm
not strong enough! They are at the door, do you hear? Hark how
they're shouting! Ay, my own Paul, the light's come to him at last!"

She ceased speaking. Her mind seemed to be gathering up the events of
the past weeks. She remembered the visit which Judge Bolitho had made
to her in Dixon Street--called to mind, too, the confession he had
made, and which Mary had read to her.

"And there is no stain upon his name now. No one can twit him now!"
she continued, jubilantly. "There they are at the door! Now then,
bring me that dressing-gown. Oh, if I'd only woke up sooner, I would
have put on that new dress which Paul brought me, the one he likes so
much. He said it made me look like a lassie."

The front door opened, and both of them heard the confusion of tongues
beneath. Then there was a heavy tread upon the stairs. The door of
her bedroom opened, and Paul entered.

He had expected to see her lying on a bed of sickness, pale and
emaciated, instead of which she stood erect.

"Mother!" he said, and folded her in his arms.

"Ay, my laddie!" she cried. "You've b