onder that he despised me!" And she
determined that hour to make Jan's friend her friend when he came
back, and to look better after his household pleasures and needs.

She had plenty now to think about, and she was on the alert morning,
noon, and night; but nothing further transpired to feed her hope for
nearly a month. The fishing season was then in full business, and
Peter Fae, as usual, full of its cares. There had been no formal
reconciliation between Margaret and her father and stepmother, and
there was no social intercourse between the houses, but still they
were on apparent terms of friendship with each other. The anger and
ill-will had gradually worn away, and both Peter and Suneva looked
with respect upon a woman so much in the minister's favor and company.
Peter sent her frequent presents from the store, and really looked
upon his handsome little grandson with longing and pride. When he was
a few years older he intended to propose to pay for his education.
"We'll send him to Edinburgh, Suneva," he frequently said, "and we
will grudge nothing that is for his welfare."

And Suneva, who had carefully fostered this scheme, would reply, "That
is what I have always said, Peter. It is a poor family that has not
one gentleman in it, and, please God and thy pocket-book, we will make
a gentleman and a minister of our little Jan;" and the thought of his
grandson filling a pulpit satisfied Peter's highest ambition.

So, though there had been no visiting between the two houses, there
were frequent tokens of courtesy and good-will, and Margaret, passing
through the town, and seeing her father at his shop-door, stopped to
speak to him.

"Where hast thou been, and where is thy boy?" he asked.

"He is at home with Elga. I have been to read with Mary Venn; she is
failing fast, and not long for this life."

As they spoke Tulloch approached, and, with a cold bow to Peter,
turned to Margaret and said, "I will walk with thee, Mistress Vedder,
as I have some business matter to speak of." Then, after they had
turned to Margaret's home: "It was about the interest of the seven
hundred pounds placed to thy credit a few days since. I will count the
interest from the first of the month."

Margaret was completely amazed. "Seven hundred pounds!" she said, in a
low trembling voice. "I know nothing about it. Surely thou art
dreaming. Who brought it to thee?"

"Dr. Balloch. He said it was conscience money and not to be talked
about.