"It is a strange legacy to bequeath to a young man, and you are but six-and-twenty, Phil—I am leaving in your charge a child of nine, uneducated, undisciplined, and born and bred in India. But you are well off—you have a private income, and she will not cost you much. Once educated, she can earn her own living, and give you no more trouble—if you will only tide her over the next seven years. Philip," she continued in a louder voice, suddenly raising herself with an immense effort, "if you will do this good action, I believe it will bring you a great blessing—dying people see far, and I can see—that." Here she paused, and fell back on her pillows completely exhausted. "I will certainly carry out your wishes, Lena," he answered impressively. "I will send Angel home, educate her, provide for her, and watch over her always—or until she marries." "Oh, you dear, dear fellow!" sobbed Mrs. Wilkinson, with tears running down her sunken cheeks. "Words cannot thank you—Angel will—give you—deeds." "After all, she is my cousin, Lena—I have no belongings——" "No, not yet," interposed his listener; "and it is not to every man I would trust the child; but you are honourable and high-minded—you will be her big brother." "I will be her guardian; I am nearly twenty years older than she is." "Only seventeen, Philip," corrected his cousin. "Well, at any rate, some day Angel will repay you—I feel an inspiration to tell you this." "But I don't want any payment, Lena." "You have lifted a load from my heart. It would have been impossible for Angel to have remained with Richard; they are like fire and oil, and what would have been her fate? Oh, Philip, it is such a tender little heart, and how she will miss me! Poor Dick, he only sees her faults, not her good qualities. She is strong-willed, jealous, reckless, and revengeful, but she will do anything for love. She would die for a person she loved. Remember that love is the key to her nature, _never_ forget that. I may confess to you now that Angel is my favourite child, my own little fluffy-haired baby; when we two were all alone in the world, then she was all the world to me." "Lena," he said, suddenly leaning forward, and speaking with a touch of passion in his voice, "you may rely on me—I will do all I can to make her happy." "I know you won't be stern, Philip; you will make allowances for her odd, wild ways; you will love her a little—and oh, do forgive me for the charge I am laying on your young shoulders." "There is nothing to forgive—that's all nonsense, you know," he said. "Anyway, I would have looked after Angel; I am her next of kin out here."