"I marry Douglas and no one else, nurse, whatever my father may say or do." "He's a dour gentleman is the Squire," said Mrs. Trevel, shaking her head, "and not pleasant to cross. He never treated your mother well, and she faded like a delicate flower blown upon by cold winds. To me, dearie, he behaves cruel in the way of rent, for all my bringing you up." "He doesn't mean to," said Alice, distressed, and driven to defending her father, although she knew only too well his high-handed methods with tenants who could not or would not pay. "Out of the fullness of the heart the mouth speaketh," quoted Mrs. Trevel in a sour way. "If he doesn't mean it, why does he do it?" "Do what?" "Says he'll turn me out bag and baggage if I don't pay the rent," cried the old woman excitedly. "How can I when the fishing's been bad and Job can't earn enough to keep things going? I make a trifle by my knitting, but that won't boil the pot. And winter's approaching too. Oh, what's to be done?" Montrose glanced at Alice and handed a piece of paper to the speaker. "Pay the rent with that, and use what is over to buy food and coal." Mrs. Trevel grasped the banknote, with a vivid spot of colour on each faded cheek, and could scarcely speak in her excitement. "What is it: oh, what is it?" "The answer to your prayer," said Alice, rising and looking solemn. "My prayer! Why, it's a fifty-pound note. Oh, sir, I can't take such a large sum of money from you." "It is not from me," said Montrose hastily. "I am merely the instrument. God sends the money because you asked Him to help you." The tears fell down the worn old face. "And I told the passon as it wasn't no use praying," she moaned regretfully. "Well, you see it is. He takes His own time and means, but in the end every petition receives the answer He deems best. Thank Him, Mrs. Trevel." "I thank Him, and I thank you too, sir. Bless you, how the sight of this money do set my mind at rest. If it wasn't for Job and the contrary ways of that silly girl I'd be as happy as an angel." "Pray for Job and Rose," advised Alice gently. "Well, it do seem worth it, dearie. If He sends me this, He may turn Rose into a reasonable girl, which she isn't at present." Mrs. Trevel was about to put away her treasure-trove when she hesitated. "Should I take it, Miss Alice?" "Yes. Of course you must take it. Mr. Montrose is rich and can well afford to give it to you." "And the riches I have," said Douglas quietly, "are but given to me as a steward of Christ to dispense according to His will."