"You may write to Alicia, but I desire that no notice whatever be taken of the lad's impudent epistle," and with these words Sir Matthew quitted the room.
The younger man then sat down to the writing-table, and hastily wrote off an answer to Miss Beaumont's letter, which same epistle gave great pleasure to the recipient.
Her face positively beamed with gladness as she read the few lines which Matthew Rose had inscribed.
The letter was to the point, and ran thus—
"DEAR MISS BEAUMONT,
"It is my desire to undertake the education of my nephews, and—if their mother be willing—I should like them to attend the County Grammar School, which is situated a few miles from Linwell. The master there, the Rev. Dr. Willoughby, is a personal friend of mine, and one in whom I repose great confidence. Kindly inform my sister-in-law of this offer, but refrain from mentioning my name.
"Thanking you for your letter to my father, and with kind regards,
"Believe me,
"Yours very sincerely,
"MATTHEW ROSE."
Five minutes after the receipt of this epistle a brisk tapping was heard at the door of the room wherein Mrs. Rose sat, darning the week's socks and stockings. Miss Beaumont was surprised upon entering to see that the usually calm, bright woman had evidently been giving way to a few tears. Beneath her somewhat forbidding exterior, Miss Beaumont possessed a very kindly heart, as her frequent anonymous gifts to the Rose family testified.
"Are you too busy to give me a few minutes, Mrs. Rose?" she asked.
"Oh, no," answered the widow, laying aside her work. "I hope nothing is wrong," she added, for a visit from Miss Beaumont was of rare occurrence.
"Nothing whatever. I merely came in to tell you that a friend who wishes his name to remain unknown is desirous of undertaking the cost of the education of your boys at the County Grammar School."
For a moment Mrs. Rose was too overcome to answer.