Walton looked surprised, for he had never thought of this; he
was almost sorry to think his little flower-girl should have another
protector. At length he said it must be as Mrs. Newton thought, and
he would go up to London himself next day, and see Mr. Long and Mr.
Black. So he went; and two days afterwards, when Fanny had returned
from Mrs. Walton's school, and was sitting with Mrs. Newton in the
little shady arbor they had made in the garden, and talking over
early days, when they used to sit in another arbor, and Fanny used to
learn her first lessons from flowers, then came Mr. Walton walking up
the path towards them, and with him was a fine-looking man, of about
forty-five years of age.
Mrs. Newton trembled, for when she looked in his face she remembered
the features; and she said to herself, "Now, if he takes my Fanny
from me?--and if he should be a bad man?" But when this man came
nearer, he stepped hastily beyond Mr. Walton, and catching Mrs.
Newton's hands, he was just going to drop on his knees before her,
when he saw Fanny staring at him; and a father's feelings overcame
every other, and with a cry of joy he extended his arms, and
exclaiming "my child!'--my child!" caught her to his breast.
Pages:
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45