Chapter 16

           "Edg.—Beforeyoufightthebattle,opethisletter."

           KingLear.

           MajorHeywardfoundMunroattendedonlybyhisdaughters.Alicesatuponhisknee,partingthegrayhairsontheforeheadoftheoldmanwithherdelicatefingers;and,wheneverheaffectedtofrownonhertrifling,appeasinghisassumedangerbypressingherrubylipsfondlyonhiswrinkledbrow.Corawasseatednighthem,acalmandamusedlooker-on;regardingthewaywardmovementsofhermoreyouthfulsister,withthatspeciesofmaternalfondnesswhichcharacterizedherloveforAlice.Notonlythedangersthroughwhichtheyhadpassed,butthosewhichstillimpendedabovethem,appearedtobemomentarilyforgotten,inthesoothingindulgenceofsuchafamilymeeting.Itseemedasiftheyhadprofitedbytheshorttruce,todevoteaninstanttothepurestandbestaffections:thedaughtersforgettingtheirfears,andtheveteranhiscares,inthesecurityofthemoment.Ofthisscene,Duncan,whoinhiseagernesstoreporthisarrivalhadenteredunannounced,stoodmanymomentsanunobservedandadelightedspectator.ButthequickanddancingeyesofAlicesooncaughtaglimpseofhisfigurereflectedfromaglass,andshesprangblushingfromherfather’sknee,exclaimingaloud—

           "MajorHeyward!"

           "Whatofthelad?"demandedthefather;"IhavesenthimtocrackalittlewiththeFrenchman.