“No,” said Andrew; “that would be to make ourselves judges in the case! Your father must have paid money for it; he gave it to Mr. Crawford, and Mr. Crawford must not be robbed!” “Stop, Andrew!” said Alexa. “Everything in the next room was left to my cousin, with the library in this; whatever else was left him was individually described. The cup was not in the next room, and was not mentioned. Providence has left us to do with it as we may judge right. I think it ought to be taken to Borland Hall--and by Dawtie.” “Well! She will mention that your father bought it?” “I will not take a shilling for it!” “Is not that because you are not quite sure you have the right to dispose of it?” “I would not take the price of it if my father had left the cup expressly to me!” “Had he done so, you would have a right to what he paid for it. To give the earl the choice of securing it, would be a service rendered him. If he were too poor to buy it, the thing would have to be considered.” “Nothing could make me touch money for it. George would never doubt we had concealed it in order to trick him out of it!” “He will think so all the same. It will satisfy him, and not a few beside, that Dawtie ought to have been convicted. The thing is certainly Mr. Crawford's--that is, his as not yours. Your father undoubtedly meant him to have the cup; and God would not have you, even to serve the right, take advantage of an accident. Whatever ought to be done with the cup, Mr. Crawford ought to do it; it is his business to do right in regard to it; and whatever advantage may be gained by doing right, Mr. Crawford ought to have the chance of gaining it. Would you deprive him of the opportunity, to which at least he has a right, of doing justice, and delivering his soul?” “You would have us tell the earl that his cup is found, but Mr. Crawford claims it?” said Alexa. “Andrew would have us take it to Mr. Crawford,” said Dawtie, “and tell him that the earl has a claim to it.” “Tell him also,” said Andrew, “where it was found, showing he has no _legal_ right to it; and tell him he has no more moral right to it than the laird could give him. Tell him, ma'am,” continued Andrew, “that you expect him to take it to the earl, that he may buy it if he will; and say that if, after a fortnight, you find it is not in the earl's possession, you will yourself ascertain from him whether the offer has been made him.” “That is just right,” said Alexa. And so the thing was done. The cup is now in the earl's collection, and without any further interference on her part.