Chapter 53

Here she stopped too, she couldn't control herself and tears flowed down her cheeks. I was more impressed than I can tell that this really was my Margaret. And in the awareness of her presence my heart leapt. From my happiness came boldness, and I now dared to say what I feared would be impossible: something that would draw Mr. Trelawny's attention to what I imagined was the double presence of his daughter. When she took Margaret's hand and kissed her, I said to her father:

"Why, madam? She couldn't speak more eloquently if Queen Tira's spirit herself was with her to move her and suggest ideas."

Mr. Trelawney's answer simply overwhelmed me, and it dawned on me that he too had gone through a thought process like mine.

"And what if, if it be, I well know that her mother's spirit is within her, and if there be besides the spirit of that great and wondrous Queen, she shall be not less dear to me, but doubly dear. Do not