"If, as you think, there is a God who knew and saw when you were about
to drown yourself, why didn't He prevent the cruel wrong to you? Why did
He suffer it?"

"What He does we know not now, but we shall know hereafter," Adah said,
reverently, adding: "If George had feared God, he would not have left me
so; but he didn't, and perhaps he says there is no God--but you don't,
Mr. Worthington. Your face don't look like it. Tell me you believe," and
in her eagerness Adah grasped his arm beseechingly.

"Yes, Adah, I believe," Hugh answered, half jestingly, "but it's such as
you that make me believe, and as persons of your creed think everything
is ordered for good, so possibly you were permitted to suffer that you
might come here and benefit me. I think I must keep you, Adah, at least,
until he is found."

"No, no," and the tears flowed at once, "I cannot be a burden to you. I
have no claim."

After a moment she grew calm again, and continued:

"You whispered, you know, that if I was ever in trouble, come to you,
and that's why I remembered you so well, maybe. I wrote down your name,
and where you lived, though why I did not know, and I forgot where I put
it, but as if God really were helping me I found it in my old portfolio,
and something bade me come, for you would know if it was true, and your
words had a meaning of which I did not dream when I was so happy. George
left me money, and sent more, but it's most gone now. I can take care of
myself."