old fellow, old enough to have been your father's father, and the
little note that I enclose must be accepted, as it is offered, in
the same spirit of affection. It will perhaps settle your
immediate necessities. To-morrow morning I shall send for you, so
have all your things ready, and believe me.

"Yours affectionately,
"GEORGE BARTHOLOMEW."

She cried over the letter, the proud head drooped over it; bright tears
streamed from the grey eyes.

Could Hugh Alston have seen her now, her face softened by the gladness
and the gratitude that had come to her, he would have seen in her the
woman of his dreams.

The banknote would clear everything. She did not scruple to accept it in
the spirit of affection in which it was offered. It would have been
churlish and false pride to refuse.

He had said that he would send for her when the morning came; he had
taken it for granted that she would go, and there was no need to answer
the letter. And when the morning came she was ready and waiting, her
things packed, her last bill to Mrs. Wenham paid.

The maid came tapping on the door.

"Someone waiting for you, miss, in the drawing-room."

Joan went down. It would be the old fellow, the warm-hearted old man