"No, they are in my desk; here are the keys."
Matthew, with halting gait, stepped across the room, and soon obtained possession of the letters in question. The first one which he opened ran as follows—
"DEAR GRANDFATHER,
"I am sorry you treated my mother in such a way, by turning her from your doors like a beggar. It was very cruel of you, and you will never have the chance of doing it again. She was going to ask you to help us with our education, but it doesn't matter now a bit, because we are going to the Board school. Apolergizing for troubling you with a letter,
"I am,
"Your grandson,
"HUGH."
And this was the effusion sent off by an indignant lad, and regretted ten minutes later.
"Poor little chap!" said Matthew to himself. "He has a fine spirit, but a little more education won't hurt him."
The other letter, which was penned by Miss Alicia Beaumont (who was a distant connection of the late Lady Rose), was in this wise—
"DEAR SIR MATTHEW,
"You will doubtless be surprised at hearing from me, and more especially when I tell you that for nearly three years I have been living in the same house as your son's wife, Elizabeth Rose. In fact, to put it plainly, I am her lodger, and very comfortable indeed she makes me.
"But I am not writing this letter to inform you about myself, but just to give you some idea of what kind of woman your daughter-in-law has proved herself to be. She is a good mother in every sense of the word, and is seeking to train her children in the faith and fear of God.
"I am not a religious woman myself, but her example has gone far to prove to me the reality and beauty of a consistent Christian life.
"She finds it a struggle to make both ends meet, and how she is to educate her sons fitly, and place them out in the world, passes my comprehension.
"I ask of you, for the sake of their father whom you once loved, that this neglect of your grandsons shall not continue.
"Please forgive me if I have said too much,
"Believe me,
"Yours sincerely,
"ALICIA BEAUMONT."
"Something must be done, father," said Matthew with decision, as he laid the letters down on the table beside him.
"Then you must do it, for I shall not," was the abrupt answer.
"May I reply to these letters, father?"