He was to return home in a few weeks.

The commencement was approaching, which was to liberate him from scholastic fetters and crown him with the honors of manhood.
"Why," thought I, "should Richard make me dread his return, when I would gladly welcome him with joy?
Why in wishing to be more than a friend, does he make me desire that he should be less?
And now Ernest Linwood is come back, of whom he so strangely warned me, methinks I dread him more than ever." Mrs.Linwood would attend the commencement.

I had heard her tell Richard so.

I had heard her repeat her intention since her son's return.

_He_, of course, would feel interested in meeting his old class mates and friends.