"I take the charge of her upon myself," said John Dixon. "She shall have the chance of living a respectable life." "Robert!" said Mrs. Grantham, in a gentle tone. She was standing by his side, holding Clair by the hand. Seeing the woman on the floor she started forward. "Oh, can I do anything? Poor creature! poor creature!" "We can do all that is required," said John Dixon. "She is getting better already. Go with your husband and child to the inn where we put up the horses. Mr. Grantham knows the way. We will join you there as soon as possible." Charlotte whispered a few words in his ear. "Take Charlotte with you, please. She must not sleep another night beneath her brother's roof. Go, my dear." "Remain here!" cried Mrs. Fox-Cordery, speaking for the first time. "I command you!" But Charlotte paid no heed to her. Accompanied by her friends, she left her brother's home, never to return. But little remains to be told. Baffled and defeated, Mr. Fox-Cordery was compelled to sue for mercy, and it was granted to him under certain conditions, in which, be sure, Martha was not forgotten. His accounts were submitted to a searching investigation, and, as John Dixon had anticipated, it was discovered that only a portion of Mrs. Grantham's fortune was lost. Sufficient was left to enable her and her husband and child to live in comfort. Purified by his sufferings, Robert Grantham was the tenderest of husbands and fathers, and he and those dear to him commenced their new life of love and joy, humbly grateful to God for the blessings he had in store for them. Neither were Little Prue and her mother forgotten. Each of those who are worthy of our esteem contributed something toward a fund which helped them on in the hard battle they were fighting. A month later our friends were assembled at the wedding of Charlotte and John Dixon. The ceremony over, the newly-married couple bade their friends good-by for a little while. They were to start at once upon their honeymoon. "It is a comfort," said Rathbeal, shaking John heartily by the hand, "in our travels through life to meet with a man. I have met with two." "I shall never forget," said John, apart to Mrs. Grantham, "nor will Charlotte, some words of affection you once addressed to her. We know them by heart: 'If the man is true,' you said, 'and the woman is true, they should be to each other a shield of love, a protection against evil, a solace in the hour of sorrow.' Charlotte and I will be to each other a Shield of Love. Thank you for those words, and God bless you and yours." The last kisses were exchanged. "God protect you, dear Charlotte," said Mrs. Grantham, pressing the bride to her heart. "A happy life is before you." "And before you, dear Mrs. Grantham," said Charlotte, hardly able to see for the tears in her eyes. "Yes, my dear. The clouds have passed away. Come, my child; come, dear Robert!" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Shield of Love, by B. L. Farjeon