d? What was faith without
works, and if Bessie had gone to destruction, as most likely she had,
was it not in part her fault? Such were the questions tormenting Miss
McPherson when at last Winny came in to remove the tea things and
brought with her a letter, which she gave into her mistress' hand. It
was Neil's letter, and Miss Betsey examined it very carefully before
opening it, wondering who had written her from London, and experiencing
a feeling that its contents would not prove altogether agreeable.
Adjusting her spectacles a little more firmly on her nose, she opened it
at last, and read it through very slowly, taking in its full meaning as
she read, and commenting to herself in her characteristic way.

Two years before, she had met an old acquaintance from London, who knew
Neil and disliked him, consequently the impression she had received of
him was not altogether favorable.

"A good-looking, well-meaning fellow," the man had said, "but very
indolent, and selfish, and proud, with an inordinate love of money, and
respect for those who have it."

And in this opinion the spinster was confirmed by his letter.

"Let me see!" she said, taking off her glasses, and regarding the fire
intently. "He wishes me to send him a few thousand pounds to enable him
to marry his cousin and live in idleness in his father's house on
Warwick Crescent until his mother is reconciled, and he wishes to know
if I intend to make Bessie my heir. No, my fine London gentleman! If
Bessie ever has a fortune it will not be from me. Now, if Neil wanted
this money to set himself up in business; if he was going to work to
earn his own bread and butter and support his family like an honest man,
I would let him have it cheerfully. But work is the last thing he thinks
about. It would degrade him. Ugh! it makes me so mad!" and she shook her
head fiercely at the fire, as she went on:

"But the girl, if he tells the truth, is the right kind of stuff,
staying at home, caring for her father, wearing shabby clothes, and even
washing the dishes, which I have no doubt hurts him the most. I rather
like this girl, and for her sake I will give Neil a chance, though I
don't suppose he will accept it. There are those cotton mills which I
had to take on that debt of Carson's. They have been nothing but a
torment to me for the want of a capable man to look after them. I will
offer the situation to Neil with a salary of two thousand dollars a
year, and ten per cen