AMBROSE.
Landing below Gaviller's house Ambrose sent Tole up the bank with this.
In a surprisingly short time he saw the half-breed returning.
"Did you see her ?" he demanded.
"Yes," said Tole.
"Did she send an answer back ?" "Only this." Ambrose held out his hand, and Tole dropped the torn fragments of his own letter into it.

Ambrose stared at them stupidly.

He had steeled himself against a possible humiliation at her hands--but to be humiliated before the half-breed! He drew a long breath to steady himself, and opening his hand, let the fragments float away on the current.
"Let us go back," he said quietly.
During the whole of the way he did not speak.
Grampierre was waiting for them in the big kitchen.
"I will now give you my answer," said Ambrose.
"Well ?" said the old man eagerly.
"It is only a partial answer.

I agree to purchase enough of your grain at one-seventy-five to see you all through the winter; and I agree to bring a stock of goods here to supply your necessities." Simon warmly grasped his hand.

"It is well!" he cried.