"I thank you kindly, sir, that I do," she answered; "but since my
earliest days I have gained my daily bread and never taken charity from
any one."

"But you must not consider this as charity, dame," observed Mrs
Tremayne; "it is given to show our interest in your little granddaughter
and in the boy whom your son-in-law and you have so generously protected
so many years. I should, indeed, feel bound to assist him, and
therefore on his account pray receive it and spend it as you may
require."

The dame's scruples were at length overcome, and her guests, after she
had again expressed her feelings of gratitude, took their departure.

They had scarcely gone when Eban Cowan appeared at the door.

"I have just heard what has happened, and I could not let the day pass
without coming to tell you how sorry I am," he said, as he entered.

Nelly thanked him warmly.

"Father has gone to heaven and is at rest," she said, quietly.

"I should think that you would rather have had him with you down on
earth," observed Eban, who little comprehended her feelings.

"So I would, but it was God's will to take him, and he taught me to say,
`Thy will be done;' and I can say that though I grieve for his loss,"
answered Nelly. "But, O Eban, when you came I thought that you had
brought some tidings of Michael."

"No! Where is he? I did not know that he was not at home."

Nelly then told Eban how Michael had gone away with the boat in the
morning and had not returned. "I will go and search for him then," he
said. "He has run in somewhere, perhaps, along the coast. I wonder,
when you spoke to Uncle Lanaherne, that he did not set off at once. But
I will go. I'll get father to send some men with me with ropes, and if
he is alive and clinging to a rock, as he may be, we will bring him
back."

Nelly poured out her thanks to Eban, who, observing that there was no
time to be lost, set off to carry out his proposal.

Dame Lanreath had said but little. She shook her head when he had gone,
as Nelly continued praising him.

"He is brave and bold, Nelly, but that could be said of Captain Brewhard
and many others I have known, who were bad husbands and false friends,
and there is something about the lad I have never liked. He is inclined
to be friendly now; and as you grow up he will wish, maybe, to be more
friendly; but I warn you against him, Nelly dear. Though he speaks to
you ever go fair, don't trust him."

"But I must be