“Yes,” she answered, “and Lena was very glad that he repented his sins before he died. He had a priest sent for, and confessed his sins and received absolution. He left a message for me, praying my pardon for his sins against me, and that I would never reveal all the evil I knew of him, since he had passed beyond earthly punishment to the bar of Heaven. Cecil,” and she lifted her wistful blue eyes to his adoring face. “What is it, my darling?” She answered, with a catch in her breath, like a repressed sob: “I knew much evil of this man that I have never spoken. Is it right for me to keep silence now?” “Yes, Violet, it is right. The dead are sacred. If we cannot speak in praise of them, and if silence can wrong no one, it is best.” “I am glad you think so, for his terrible suffering in death has touched my heart. And Lena forgives him now, and his wrongs against her were greater than mine.” “It is noble in you both,” he said, admiringly. “But, Cecil, there is something else that distresses me very much, but grandpapa says I must accept it.” “What is it, my Violet?” “I--I--am his widow, you know. Is it not horrible to think of, dear? But it cannot be helped, you know, for the marriage was legal. But he had no relatives, and--and--he left me all his wealth--several millions, grandpapa says. I--I--wish to refuse it, but he says there is no way to do it. And the dying man begged I would accept it in atonement for all I had suffered through his sins.” “And you wish to refuse it, my darling? But I do not blame you. There is Lena, whom he wronged so deeply. You can give it to her, Violet.” “I have offered it to her, but she refused, for there are reasons that would make it dreadful for her to accept. And grandpapa has been saying that I am very foolish to refuse this fortune. He said I might do so much good with it--help the poor, you know--and--and”--shyly, “restore Bonnycastle when we are married. It tempted me a little, dear, for I should like to see Bonnycastle rebuilt--it will be my future home! So what shall I do, my darling?” “You might think me mercenary if I counseled you to accept it, dear one, since you will be my wife. You must decide for yourself.” “Then I will do as Mr. Castello wished, and as grandpapa counsels, for I shall then be very rich, and can do much good with the money.” Cecil did not dissuade her, for he thought that she had suffered enough at Castello’s hands to merit this compensation. He did not covet the money for himself, but he knew that it would add to the happiness of his wife. So she told Judge Camden she would accept the royal dower, and he was well pleased. “But, Lena, it should have been yours instead,” she said, sadly; but Lena shook her head. “You forget poor father,” she said. “No, no! I could not touch a cent of it. I care nothing now for worldly pleasures, and at the death of my poor mother, who is fast failing in health, I shall retire into a convent to end my days.”