"Aye, darling, He'll give you more than that if you ask Him, for you're one o' those as He loves. But now, Cecile, we ha' a deal to do before morning. You open the purse, and see that all the money is safe."
Cecile did as she was bid, and out fell the fifteen sovereigns and the four Bank of England notes.
"'Tis all there, Jane," she said, "even to the little bit of paper under the lining."
"What's that, child?"
"I don't know, there's some writing on it, but I can't read writing."
"Well, but I can, let me read it, darling."
Cecile handed the paper to her, and Jane read aloud the following words:
"'This purse contains fifty-five pounds. Forty pounds in Bank of England ten-pound notes, for my dear and only child, Lovedy Joy; fifteen pounds in gold for my stepdaughter, Cecile D'Albert. To be spent by her in looking for my daughter, and for no other use whatever.
"'Signed by me, Grace D'Albert, on this ninth day of September, 18—'
"Cecile," said Jane suddenly, "you must let me keep this paper. I will send it back to you if I can, but you must let me keep it for the present. What I did to-night might have got me into trouble. But this will save me, if you let me keep it for a bit."