"Ah, well! you know what I think, Arthur, though I did say 'lucky,'"
returned Constance. "I know it is God who is helping us."

Very beautiful, very touching, was the simple trustfulness reposed in
God, by Constance and Arthur Channing. The good seed had been sown on
good ground, and was bringing forth its fruit.

"I was deep in a reverie when you interrupted me, Constance," Arthur
resumed. "Something seems to whisper to me that this loss, which we
regard as a great misfortune, may turn out for good in the end."

"In the end! It may have come for our good now," said Constance.
"Perhaps I wanted my pride lowered," she laughed; "and this has come to
do it, and is despatching me out, a meek governess."

"Perhaps we all wanted it," cried Arthur, meaningly. "There are other
bad habits it may stop, besides pride." He was thinking of Hamish and
his propensity for spending. "Forty guineas you are to have?"

"Yes," said Constance. "Arthur, do you know a scheme that I have in my
head? I have been thinking of it all day."

"What is it? Stay! here is some one coming in. It is Hamish."

Hamish entered with the account-books under his arm, preparatory to
going over them with his father. Constance drew him to her.

"Hamish, I have a plan in my head, if we can only carry it out. I am
going to tell it you."