"
"Go on, Vincent; please go on," Annie said. "Tell us what happened
next."
Vincent continued his narrative to the end, with, however, many
interruptions and questions on the part of the girls. 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 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. You see, when the troubles began
she was little more than a child, and since that time she has
scarcely left home, but she promised to have one taken at once and
send it me, and then, if it is a good likeness, you will know all
about it.
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