Matthew's delicate features wore an expression of tender sympathy, for Miss Beaumont's speech had touched him.
Hitherto he had been unable to obtain an interview with his sister-in-law, as when she was not engaged in nursing, she was taking the necessary rest.
Miss Beaumont did all in her power to render assistance; it was she who superintended the household, looked after the boys, mended torn garments, and soothed to her utmost the sad-hearted mother.
But the time of her departure was drawing near, there remained but a little while ere she would have to bid farewell to The Gables. Her brother had need of her in a foreign land, otherwise she would not have deserted the Rose family in their extremity.
In a few well-chosen words, she gave Matthew an outline of the widow's circumstances, and right nobly did the young man rise to the occasion.
At Miss Beaumont's instigation, he procured a nurse to assist the tired mother, and he determined that no comfort which money could procure should be lacking. It was through Miss Beaumont that Mrs. Rose knew of Matthew's goodness and generosity.
It was on the fourth morning after his arrival at Linwell that he obtained the much-desired interview with Mrs. Rose.
"Matthew," she said gently, as she took his hand with both her own, "God bless you for your goodness to me and mine. I can guess now who befriended me with my boys' education!"
"Oh, that's nothing, Lisa! What we want now is to get the little one well," he said cheerfully, albeit he was touched by her words.
As Matthew gazed at the sweet worn face of his brother's widow, his heart reproached him terribly for all the neglect of past years.