M. Corcoran Dunn.
But of the three to whom the meeting was an absolute
surprise,--Caroline, Malcolm and herself--she was characteristically the
first to regain outward serenity. For a moment she stood nonplused and
speechless, but only for a moment. Then she hastened, with outstretched
arms, to Caroline and clasped her in affectionate embrace.
"My dear child!" she cried; "my dear girl! I'm SO glad to see you! I've
thought of you so much! And I pity you so. Poor Malcolm has--Malcolm,"
sharply, "come here! Don't you see Caroline?"
Malcolm was groping nervously for his hat. He picked it up and obeyed
his mother's summons, though with no great eagerness.
"How d'ye do, Caroline," he stammered, confusedly. "I--I--It's a deuce
of a surprise to see you down here. The mater and I didn't expect--that
is, we scarcely hoped to meet anyone but Sylvester. He sent for us, you
know."
He extended his hand. She did not take it.
"Did you get my letter?" she asked, quickly. Mrs. Dunn answered for him.
"Yes, dear, he got it," she said. "The poor fellow was almost crazy. I
began to fear for his sanity; I did, indeed. I did not dare trust him
out of my sight. Oh, if you could but know how we feel for you and pity
you!"
Pity was not what Caroline wanted just then.
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