Ringing the bell with a nervous pull they were speedily admitted into the house.
Mr. Leonard had asked to see Miss Arlington, and they were ushered into the parlor, while the servant went for the lady.
In a minute she returned, and Miss Arlington was ushered into their presence. She was pale and haggard looking, and had evidently suffered much from the revelation which her guardian had made her.
She looked in surprise upon the party who had called to see her. Two of them, at least, were utter strangers.
“We have called,” said Mr. Leonard, “on important business. But first let me introduce you to Mr. Fitler and Mr. Somers.”
“Mr. Somers,” she repeated, looking from him to Will, who sat beside him.
“I told you once that I had lost my parents,” said Will, “or they had lost me, which comes to the same thing. I have found my father.”
“And I have found my son,” said Mr. Somers, looking proudly on his boy. “Were but my daughter returned to me, my cup of happiness would be full.”
“I congratulate you both on your good fortune,” said Jennie, with much interest. “I am sure you will have reason to be proud of my young friend, Will. But you wished to see me on business,” she added, turning to her guardian.
“Yes,” he replied, “in reference to the matter I mentioned to you at our last meeting.”
A look of deep displeasure came upon her face.
“Let that matter die,” she said, briefly. “It is enough to have told it to me. Do you wish to publish it to the world?”
“It need not go beyond the parties present.”
“And why so far as that?” she sharply asked. “What is it their affair? I can see no necessity of this.”
“I will tell you why, Jennie. I have learned something important connected with you, since I saw you last. It is necessary to broach it before these gentlemen, who are already conversant with the facts.”
Mr. Somers was involuntarily leaning forward in his seat, and devouring the face of the young lady with hungry, eager eyes. He seemed to forget all present in his absorbing interest.
“Listen, then, to another story,” said Mr. Leonard, quietly. “Mr. Somers here has had in his life experience the greatest misfortunes. He is a gentleman of great wealth, and surrounded with all that generally makes life desirable. Yet with it all he has been very unhappy. His wife died; his two children, a boy and a girl, were stolen from him by an enemy; his whole life has been devoted to the finding of these lost treasures. We have just learned,” continued Mr. Leonard, “that the villain who carried off the children left them in the alms-house here in Philadelphia--dying there himself.”