Longer than usual Eglah knelt beside her bed that night, and when she rose, Mrs. Mitchell, waiting to brush out and braid her hair, noted in the pale young face traces of mental wrestling. "Little mother, does God answer your prayers?" "Not always in the way I may have wished, but when they are denied I seem to receive instead an increased assurance that He knows best; and as to a child crying for sharp-edged tools, His refusal springs from omniscient mercy." "Do you think Mr. Noel is really a Christian? Father believes him a mere rationalist." "His is such a fine character, only Christianity could have moulded him." "I wish I knew whether he prays every night." "Why?" "If he does, his prayers and mine must clash like crossed swords before the Lord, and Mr. Noel is better than I, and deserves to receive that which he wants most; but he will not--he shall not!" "Eglah, dearie! The Lord alone will decide." "No. If we are free agents, human will can not be coerced by Him who gave it. Even our great, dear, good God cannot give him what I pray he will be denied. Never--never!" "For what is he praying?" "A razor--that would cut his fingers--so he must not have it. Now, lest you should 'imagine vain things,' I wish you to know that Mr. Noel has not renewed his proposal of marriage, and I hope never will. It is only just to him that you should fully understand he is now no suitor. He is simply my loyal, noble friend, in whom I trust implicitly. Good-night, _Madrecita_." CHAPTER XVI