And then there was a pause. For a minute or two not a word was said. The daughter of the house was as much overcome by the thought as was its faithful servant. At last she said faintly, but firmly—
"Mr. Rule, I cannot believe but that you will see John to-morrow when the bank is opened, with means to meet every demand."
"Yes, Miss Vernon, that is my conviction too."
But in what a faltering voice was this conviction stated! The room was not very light, and they did not distinguish very clearly each other's faces.
"But in case of any failure—" she said, "for of course one never can tell, the most tiresome nothings may detain you just when speed is most important; or he might not have succeeded as he hoped. In case of any—delay—I shall be there, Mr. Rule; you may calculate upon me, with every penny I can muster——"
"You, Miss Vernon!" the clerk said, with a cry of relief and joy.
"Certainly; who else, when the credit of the bank is at stake? I have been living very quietly, you know. I spend next to nothing; my mother's money has accumulated till it is quite a little fortune, I believe. What had I best do? send to Mr. Sellon and ask him to help us on that security? I don't think he will refuse."
"If you do that we are saved," said Rule, half crying. "That is the thing to do. What a head for business you have!"
She smiled, and gave him a little nod, like one of those happy nods she used to give to the young clerks in her fine youthful days, in which there was a kind acknowledgment of their admiration, a friendly good fellowship with themselves.