Before Miss Garth could answer the question, she held out her father's
will and her father's letter.
"Magdalen came back after you went away," she said, "and found these
last relics. She heard Mr. Pendril say they were her legacy and mine.
When I went into the garden she was reading the letter. There was no
need for me to speak to her; our father had spoken to her from his
grave. See how she has listened to him!"
She pointed to the letter. The traces of heavy tear-drops lay thick over
the last lines of the dead man's writing.
"_Her_ tears," said Norah, softly.
Miss Garth's head drooped low over the mute revelation of Magdalen's
return to her better self.
"Oh, never doubt her again!" pleaded Norah. "We are alone now--we have
our hard way through the world to walk on as patiently as we can. If
Magdalen ever falters and turns back, help her for the love of old
times; help her against herself."
"With all my heart and strength--as God shall judge me, with the
devotion of my whole life!" In those fervent words Miss Garth answered.
She took the hand which Norah held out to her, and put it, in sorrow and
humility, to her lips. "Oh, my love, forgive me! I have been miserably
blind--I have never valued you as I ought!"
Norah gently checked her before she could say more; gently whispered,
"Come with me into the garden--come, and help Magdalen to look patiently
to the future.
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