"Forgive me," she said brokenly, "I did not mean to be so foolish."
"Well, I must say, my dear good woman, I don't see anything to cry about," said Miss Beaumont brusquely.
"No, no; I am only so glad and thankful. Would you believe it, I had actually thought that God had not seen fit to answer my prayers about this matter. Wasn't it foolish of me?" she asked, smiling through her tears.
Miss Beaumont made no reply; the fact was that an uncomfortable lump in her throat prevented her calm utterance at that moment.
"If I might only know who my kind friend is—" said the widow.
"You see, he doesn't wish to be known," answered Miss Beaumont decisively.
"Can it be possible that Sir Matthew has at last relented?" said Mrs. Rose reflectively.
"I can gratify your curiosity on that point—it certainly is not their grandfather."
A shade of disappointment crossed the widow's face.
"I would give much to be able to grasp the hand of my unknown friend, and say, 'God bless you.'"