And, my dear one, I know--I know,' she emphasised the word as she stroked the beautiful hair, 'that when I am gone my own poor, the few that I have looked after all my life, will, not suffer when my darling thinks of me!' Stephen fairly climbed upon her as she said, looking in the brave old eyes: 'So help me God, my darling, they shall never want!' Silence for a time; and then Miss Rowly's voice again: 'Though it would not do for the world to know that a young maiden lady had paid the debts of a vicious young man, it makes no matter if they be paid by an old woman, be the same maid, wife, or widow! And really, my dear, I do not see how any money I might have could be better spent than in keeping harm away from you.' 'There need not be any harm at all, Auntie.' 'Perhaps not, dear! I hope not with all my heart.

But I fear that young man.

Just fancy him threatening you, and in your own house; in my very presence! Oh! yes, my dear.

He meant to threaten, anyhow! Though I could not exactly understand what he was driving at, I could see that he was driving at something.

And after all that you were doing for him, and had done for him! I mean, of course, after all that I had done for him, and was doing for him.