"I dismissed the post chaise at the gate, and walked up quietly.

I was afraid, if I drove suddenly up, the shock might be too much for her." "Quite right!" the squire said.

"We must break it to her quietly.

Wilks must do it--or no, he shall tell Aggie, and she shall tell your mother." He rang the bell, and John, who had been expecting a summons, instantly appeared.
"Tell Mr.Wilks I want to speak to him, John." The old soldier speedily appeared, and his delight was as great as if James had been his son.

He went off to break the news, and, in a short time, Mrs.Walsham was in the arms of her son.
Major Walsham went no more to the wars, nor did he follow his original intention of entering the medical profession.