"But you do love me, Peter ?" "Haven't I proved I love you ?" said Peter; and she perceived that his feelings were hurt.

"Coming back, and--and thinking only of you, and--and of never leaving you any more.

Why, mother"-- for in an agony of love and remorse she was clinging to him and sobbing, with her face pressed against his empty sleeve--"why, mother," Peter repeated, in softened tones, "of course I love you." The drawing-room door was cautiously opened, and Peter's aunts came into the hall on tiptoe, followed by the canon.
"Ah, I thought so," said Lady Belstone, in the self-congratulatory tones of the successful prophet, "it has been too much for poor Mary.
She has been overcome by the joy of dear Peter's return.".