"I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not."
How far were the happenings of this strange night owing to that dead mother's prayers; and to the Boy's unfailing faith, even through these hard days?
Miss Charteris could read no farther. She closed the Bible. "Let us pray," she said, and turned to the Collect for the week.
"O God, Whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth: We humbly beseech Thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which be profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
On the breakfast-table, beside her plate, lay the Professor's letter. She had known it would be there.
She poured out her coffee and buttered her toast.
Then she opened the letter.
"My dear Ann"——
After the nightmare through which she had just passed, this beginning scarcely surprised her. She glanced back at the envelope to make quite sure it was addressed to herself; then read on. It was dated the evening before, from the Professor's rooms in College.