But he knew nothing of his own condition, and had had no real gleam of consciousness, until he opened his eyes in his aunt's house to find Gertrude bending over him.
There was no shadow between them now.

Gertrude's surrender was as complete as Lady Scrope had foreseen.

She used now to laugh with Reuben over the sayings of that redoubtable old dame, and wonder what she would think of them could she see them now.

The box she had entrusted to Gertrude had been given into Mary Harmer's care for the present, till Reuben should be strong enough to enjoy the excitement of opening it.

But upon the first day that saw him down in the little parlour, lying upon the couch that had been made ready to receive him, Joseph eagerly clamoured to have the box brought down and opened; and his wish being seconded by all, Mary Harmer quickly produced it, and it was set upon a little table at the side of the couch.
"Have you the key ?" asked Reuben of Gertrude, and she produced it from her neck, round which it had been hanging all this while by a silken cord.
"It felt almost like a love token," she said with a little blush, "for she told me I was not to open it save at the side of my betrothed husband!" Now, amid breathless silence, she fitted the key into the lock and raised the lid.