He's to live with us, to be your honourable bodyguard, your Fidus Achates,
in fact."
What a picture this venerable man presented as he stood there. Wrapped in
a great-coat, with fur mittens in his hands; a long grey beard sweeping
his breast; hair abundant and white, crowning a face of singular strength
and refinement, he seemed the very embodiment of health and hearty cheer.
No ascetic this, but a man in whose veins flowed the fire of youth, and
whose eyes twinkled with quiet, honest laughter as they looked into his
daughter's puzzled face.
"I don't exactly understand," Nellie remarked, glancing first at her
father and then at Dan.
"No, I know you don't, dear, but I'll tell you all about it later. It's
enough now to know that I found him, and we are to give him a home here.
So if you'll let us have something to eat, we'll be very glad, won't we,
laddie?"
Dan stood as if in a dream during this conversation. His eyes remained
fixed upon Nellie's face. Could it be possible that this was the woman he
had rescued, and who had spoken so kindly to him? It was the same, there
could be no mistake, only now she seemed more beautiful than ever.
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