"Yes, in one way. Mrs. Laval wished it; I arranged it. You know your mother left me the power. Have I done right?"
"Mr. Richmond," said the child, slowly, "I am afraid to think."
Her friend smiled again, and waited till the power of speech should come back.
"Was aunt Candy willing?" she said then.
"No, I do not think she was willing. I think the plan was not agreeable to her. But she gave her consent to it. The reasons in favour of the plan were so strong that she could not help that."
Matilda privately wondered that any reasons could have had so much weight; and rather fancied that Mr. Richmond had been the strongest reason of them all.
"And it is all done?" she said, lifting up her eyes.
"All done. Arranged and finished. But Mrs. Laval is afraid to have you come home before next week."
"Mr. Richmond," said the child, coming close, and stealing her hand into his, "I am very much obliged to you!"
Her friend sat down and drew his arm around her; and Matilda's other hand on his shoulder, they were both still, thinking, for some little time.