The mine cage

An original fiction passage set in the nineteenth century.

Clara stood beyond the mine gates as the cage rose slowly into view. One by one, the miners stepped out, their clothes grey with dust, but Thomas was not among them. Then a final figure climbed from the shadows and pushed back his cap. The fear that had held Clara rigid broke at once; she laughed and caught her brother by his blackened sleeve. Thomas smiled, although he was too exhausted to speak.

Identify the sentence that marks the moment Clara’s fear gives way to relief.