"No thanks, sir—only my duty to one whose last thoughts were of your happiness, and how it was best to promote it. He had faith in me, and I have endeavoured to deserve it, as though he had been watching every action of my own from heaven. Good-bye, Mr. Sidney."
"Good-bye—best of friends. You will not desert me wholly?—your father is on my side now."
"Yes. I shall look in upon you very often, I hope—and you must keep strong, and make up your mind about that business—and—and not think yourself into that low estate ever again. Now I am ready to go."
Mattie and her father left the house the former had brightened by her presence. In the cab she struggled for awhile with her forced composure, and then burst forth into irrepressible tears.
"Patience, Mattie. I see the end to this. All's well."
"You see the end to this? No, you cannot!"
"Oh! yes—I can."
Mr. Gray uttered not a syllable more during the remainder of the journey; and Mattie, ashamed of her tears, dried her eyes, and asked no further questions.