Cecile drew out an old, worn Russia-leather purse.

"Lovedy 'ud recognize that purse," said her mother, "it belonged to
her own father. She and I always kept our little earnings in it, in
the old happy days. Now open the purse, Cecile; you must know what is
inside it."

Cecile pressed the spring and took out a little bundle of notes.

"There, child, you open them--see, there are four notes--four Bank
of England notes for ten pounds each--that's forty pounds--forty
pounds as her mother earned for my girl. You give her those notes in
the old purse, Cecile. You give them into her own hands, and you say,
'Your mother sent you those. Your mother is dead, but she broke her
heart for you, she never forgot your voice when you said for pity's
sake, and she asks you now for pity's sake to forgive her.' That's
the message as you has to take to Lovedy, Cecile."

"Yes, stepmother, I'll take her that message--very faithful; very,
very faithful, stepmother."

"And now put yer hand into the purse again, Cecile; there's more
money in the purse--see! there's fifteen pounds all in gold. I had
that money all in gold, for I knew as it 'ud be easier for you--that
fifteen pounds is for you, Cecile, to spend in looking for Lovedy;
you must not waste it, and you must spend it on nothing else. I guess
you'll have to go to France to find my Lovedy; but ef you're very
careful, that money ought to last till you find her."

"There'll be heaps and heaps of money here," said Cecile, looking at