Page 263 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

self living once more, rich, free, and respected, in the world
from which he had been so long an exile. He saw his moth-
er’s sweet pale face, the light of a happy home circle. He saw
himself—received with tears of joy and marvelling affec-
tion—entering into this home circle as one risen from the
dead. A new life opened radiant before him, and he was lost
in the contemplation of his own happiness.
So absorbed was he that he did not hear the light footstep
of the child across the sand. Mrs. Vickers, having been told
of the success which had crowned the convict’s efforts, had
overcome her weakness so far as to hobble down the beach
to the boat, and now, heralded by Sylvia, approached, lean-
ing on the arm of Maurice Frere.
‘Mamma has come to see the boat, Mr. Dawes!’ cries Syl-
via, but Dawes did not hear.
The child reiterated her words, but still the silent figure
did not reply.
‘Mr. Dawes!’ she cried again, and pulled him by the coat-
sleeve.
The touch aroused him, and looking down, he saw the
pretty, thin face upturned to his. Scarcely conscious of what
he did, and still following out the imagining which made him
free, wealthy, and respected, he caught the little creature in
his arms—as he might have caught his own daughter—and
kissed her. Sylvia said nothing; but Mr. Frere—arrived, by
his chain of reasoning, at quite another conclusion as to the
state of affairs—was astonished at the presumption of the
man. The lieutenant regarded himself as already reinstated
in his old position, and with Mrs. Vickers on his arm, re-

For the Term of His Natural Life