And Sir Edward put his hand in his pocket, and rolled a coin across the
table to his little niece.

But Milly was not satisfied.

"This is your present," she said, doubtfully. "What will you give Him
this Christmas besides? Is money the only thing you can give Him,
uncle?"

Sir Edward pushed back his chair and rose from the table. His feelings
were almost getting beyond his control. With the one subject that was
now always foremost in his thoughts, the child's question rang again in
his ears, "Is money the only thing you can give Him, uncle?" And like a
flash of light came a reply:

"No, I can give myself back to Him, my soul and body, that have now
been so long in the keeping of His enemy."

After a few minutes' silence he said, in a strangely quiet voice:

"Come, little one, it is bedtime; say 'Good-night,' and run up to
nurse!"

Milly came up to him, and as he stood with his back to the fire warming
his hands, she took hold of the ends of his coat in her little hands,
and, looking up at him, said:

"Uncle Edward, you gave me a kiss like a father might have done this
afternoon. Would you mind very much giving me another?"