"Indeed it is, my precious sunbeam; and I feel it a loving rebuke to me for my want of faith and trust in Him who has never forsaken us. Of course, Jacques, you will accept the offer, and thank Dr. Warner warmly for his kind remembrance of you."
"No fear of my not doing that, Marie. But are not our first thanks due to Him who put it into Dr. Warner's heart to do this kindness?"
And so saying the father bent his head, and, with Gabrielle kneeling beside him and his wife's thin hand still clasped in his, gave thanks to their heavenly Father, who had remembered them in their time of need, and brought them into a "large place," for Christ Jesus' sake.
Whilst they were thus engaged, the door opened, and a fine-looking young lad entered, and stood, cap in hand, with bent head and reverent look, till the prayer, or rather the thanksgiving, was ended.
Then he came quietly forward, and touching his sister lightly on the shoulder, said, "Gabrielle, what has happened?"
The father and mother could not refrain from smiling at the vehemence of Gabrielle's reply, as she told the news to her favourite brother, whose brow lightened and eyes sparkled with pleasure as he listened.
Then going forward to his parents, he said, "This is good news indeed. I am so thankful. Now, please God, I shall be able to do something to help you all."
"Indeed, André, you have done that for some time," said his mother, looking with pride and fondness at her first-born son.
And even Mr. M'Ivor, who was not given to lavishing praise too freely, echoed her words, and laying his hand on his boy's shoulder, said—
"God has been good to us in all our children; has he not, Marie?"