"Not if you make a wise use of it. In your hands I hope it may prove a blessing instead of a curse," answered the Rector.
"It does not seem to have brought any happiness to Uncle Giles. He calls it a burden."
"Riches can never bring happiness unless they are being employed for the benefit of others."
"It is sad to think how long these have lain idle," remarked Miss Russell. "Monica will be able to do much good with them."
"Then you are sure I may take them?" asked Monica, turning to her guardian. "I didn't find out the enigma myself, you see."
"I am certain you may receive the legacy without scruple, my dear child! Your uncle himself said he had left matters to the disposal of destiny. It appears to me as if Lindsay and Cicely had been led just at the right time to this happy discovery. You must accept your fortune as a special gift of Providence. So far it has been a talent laid up in a napkin; it can now be your care to let it yield ten talents in return."
Though Lindsay and Cicely had satisfactorily accomplished their quest, they felt there were many points in connection with their adventure at the Manor that still puzzled them. The mystery surrounding the lantern room had not yet been cleared up, neither had the strange behaviour of Mrs. Wilson and Scott been accounted for.
So anxious were they to decide these perplexing points that they determined to confide the whole affair to Monica, and see if she could offer any explanation. A month ago it would have been impossible to get her for half an hour to themselves, but since their finding of the treasure the other girls were ready to allow them a special claim to her society, and took it as a matter of course when they carried her off to the summer house for a private chat.
Monica listened attentively to the story of their various experiences and suspicions. At the end she laughed heartily, then suddenly looked grave.