The Squire's Daughter Part 80

"Oh, very good," he went on. "I'll let him know to-morrow morning that he may come along here and see you if he likes. I don't expect he will lose very much time. What! crying, little girl? Come, come, you mustn't cry. Crying spoils the eyes. Besides, it is time we were both in bed."

She kissed him more than once, and then ran hurriedly out of the room.

On the following afternoon she went for a walk through the plantation alone.

"He will come this way," she said to herself. "He will be sure to come this way. He knows it is my favourite walk."

She walked slowly, but with every sense alert. She knew that her father had been to see Ralph, and, of course, he would be impatient to see her.

If he were half as impatient as she was he would be on his way now.

She espied him at length a long way down the road, and she drew back a little in the shadow of the trees and waited. Her heart was beating very fast, and happy tears kept welling up into her eyes.

She was looking away from him when at length he came upon her.

"Dorothy!" he said, in a voice that thrilled her like a strain of music.

"Yes, Ralph," and she turned her perfect face full upon him.

"Your father said I might come."

"Yes, I know," and she placed both her hands in his.

"I have waited long for this day," he said.

"We are the happier for the waiting."

"You are satisfied?"

"I am very happy, Ralph."

He gathered her to himself slowly and tenderly, and kissed her. There was no need for many words just then. Silence was more eloquent than speech.

That evening the dowager came to the conclusion that she would have to look out for a new companion and secretary.

Mr. Silas K. Hocking's

THE FLAMING SWORD.

_SOME PRESS OPINIONS_

"This is told in Mr. Hocking's usual bright and sprightly manner. When over a million copies of a man's books have been sold, all his readers want to know is if the book under review presents the characteristics of the author, and is worthy of his reputation; both of which questions can be answered in the affirmative."--_Queen._

"The novel is remarkable, because of its intensely human interest, of the intricacy of the plot, and of the freshness and vigour with which it is developed. The tale is wound up in the happiest possible manner. Mr. Hocking has produced a finished piece of literary workmans.h.i.+p--a novel that will be widely read and enjoyed."--_Scotsman._

"In 'The Flaming Sword' he is at his best, and the book will gratify his mult.i.tudinous admirers."--_Sheffield Daily Telegraph._

"An admirable story--supremely interesting. The whole story is brimful of surprises and complications, woven together with great ingenuity. The plot is wonderfully good, and grips the reader from start to finish."--_Aberdeen Free Press._

"It will be strange indeed if 'The Flaming Sword' does not become one of the most popular products of Mr. Silas Hocking's pen."--_Christian Commonwealth._

"It immediately lays hold of one, and the grip is maintained throughout."--_Dundee Advertiser._

"An exciting and intensely interesting story."--_Canadian Bookseller._

"A novel which is sure to have mult.i.tudes of readers and to be enthusiastically received."--_Free Methodist._

"A volume that will keep up the reputation of the author, since it is written in his best vein."--_Irish Times._

"Mr. S. K. Hocking has a big circle of admirers, which is likely to be considerably widened by his latest novel, 'The Flaming Sword.' The story grips one from the opening."--_Lloyd's News._

PIONEERS.

_SOME PRESS OPINIONS_

"Mr. Hocking has written many admirable stories, but none, one may venture to say, so effective as this. He has presented his characters with convincing fidelity to human nature.... The reader will follow their careers with interest, and in especial that of the heroine, who is a p.r.o.nounced and most attractive individuality. In a word, the novel is a notable success."--_Scotsman._

"Mr. Hocking has seldom drawn two more notable and more lovable characters. The novel teems with stirring adventure and has the prettiest love story, with the happiest of endings."--_Evening News._

"Is a story of sustained power--power controlled by a practised hand which quickly grips the interest of the reader and holds it undiminished to the end."--_Birmingham Post._

"Conceived and executed in the author's most vigorous style, we are carried breathlessly forward from the first page to the last; almost every chapter contains some hair-breadth 'scape.

It is all very exciting and picturesque."--_Westminster Gazette._

"It is a skilful and well-knit story, full of exciting episodes. It arouses human sympathy, and sustains a good level of interest. It is probably one of the best of Mr. Silas Hocking's recent books."--_Sheffield Independent._

"Mr. Hocking's latest novel is intensely interesting and exciting. The scene is laid in Russia, and the plot embraces the struggles and adventures of two soldiers who have deserted from the Russian army. They are arrested and taken to Siberia, and their privations and struggles for freedom are depicted with a master hand. The character of the heroine is one which will draw the sympathy of all, and the story one which should appeal to a large circle of readers."--_Canadian Bookseller._

"There is a vivid realism in the story. The exciting adventures of the heroine, etc., form a chapter of incidents which keep the reader chained to the book till the last page is turned.

The story is one of the best, if not the best that Mr. Hocking has written."--_Daily News._