Christobel Charteris paused. She seemed to see the shore at Dovercourt, and the brave little figure struggling to carry the heavy stone; and, later on when the cannon-ball lay safely in the castle court-yard, Little Boy Blue standing erect, with lifted cap, and shining eyes, a picture of faith triumphant. "_I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not._" How far were the happenings of this strange night owing to that dead mother's prayers; and to the Boy's unfailing faith, even through these hard days? Miss Charteris could read no farther. She closed the Bible. "Let us pray," she said, and turned to the Collect for the week. "_O God, Whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth: We humbly beseech Thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which be profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen._" * * * * * On the breakfast-table, beside her plate, lay the Professor's letter. She had known it would be there. She poured out her coffee and buttered her toast. Then she opened the letter. "My dear Ann"---- After the nightmare through which she had just passed, this beginning scarcely surprised her. She glanced back at the envelope to make quite sure it was addressed to herself; then read on. It was dated the evening before, from the Professor's rooms in College. "MY DEAR ANN,--I regret to have been unable to look in upon you this evening, on my return from town, and my duties will keep me from paying you a visit until to-morrow, in the late afternoon. Hence this letter. "Needless to say, I have been thinking over, carefully, the remarkable statement you saw fit to make to me, concerning the feelings and expectations of our young friend. It came to me as a genuine surprise. I have always looked upon our friendship as purely Platonic; based entirely upon the intellectual enjoyment we found in pursuing our classical studies together. "I admit, I cannot bring myself to contemplate matrimony with much enthusiasm. "At the same time, your feeling in the matter being so strong, and my sense of gratitude toward my late friend, a thing never to be forgotten; if you are quite sure, Ann--and I confess it seems to me altogether incredible--that our young friend entertains, toward me, feelings which will mean serious disappointment to her, if I fail----" This brought the letter to the bottom of the first page. Without reading any farther, Miss Charteris folded it, and replaced it in the envelope. The indignant blood had mounted to the roots of her soft fair hair. But already, in her heart, sounded a song of wondering praise. "_And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great._" The iron gate of the front garden swung open. Hurried steps flew up the path. Emma, poor soul, had been told to _fly_; and Emma had flown. She almost fell into the arms of Jenkins, as he opened the hall door.