start from Shalecray by the last train for town; and when this same
passenger got out at Victoria, he hailed a hansom, and was driven
quickly westward. And when he arrived at his destination, and rang the
bell, almost before the servant had had time to open the door, a little
figure pressed eagerly forward, and a soft, clear voice exclaimed--

"Oh, dear uncle, is that you at last? I've been watching for you such a
long time. Oh, do--do tell me about Geoff! Did you see him? And oh, dear
uncle, is he very unhappy?"

"Come upstairs, my pet," said the old man, "and you shall hear all I can
tell."

The three awaiting him in the drawing-room were nearly as eager as the
child. The mother's face grew pale with anxiety, the sisters' eyes
sparkled with eagerness.

"Did you find him easily, uncle? Was it where you thought?" asked Vicky.

"Yes, yes; I had no difficulty. I saw him, Vicky, but without his seeing
me. He has grown, and perhaps he is a little thinner, but he is quite
well. And I had an excellent account of him from the farmer. He is
working steadily, and bearing manfully what, to a boy like him, cannot
but be privations and hardships. But I am afraid he is very unhappy--his
face had a set sad look in it that I do not like to see on one so
young. I fear he never got your letters, Vicky. There must have been
some mistake about the address. I didn't want to push the thing too far.
You must write again, my little girl--say all you can to soften him.
What I want is that it should come from _his_ side. He will respect
himself all his life for overcoming his pride, and asking to be forgiven,
only we must try to make it easy for him, poor fellow! Now go to bed,
Vicky, child, and think over what you will write to him to-morrow. I
want to talk it all over with your mother. Don't be unhappy about poor
old Geoff, my dear."

Obedient Vicky jumped up at once to go to bed. She tried to whisper
"Good night" as she went the round of the others to kiss them, but the
words would not come, and her pretty blue eyes were full of tears.
Still, Vicky's thoughts and dreams were far happier that night than for
a long time past.

As soon as she had closed the door after her, the old gentleman turned
to the others.

"She doesn't know any more than we agreed upon?" he asked.

"No," said Elsa; "she only knows that you got his exact address from the
same person who has told you about him from time to time. She has no
idea that the whole