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if his were still alight. Looking into the room, she saw him lying calmly
on his bed, and so took courage to enter.
Fast asleep. No passion in the face, no avarice, no anxiety, no wild
desire; all gentle, tranquil, and at peace. This was not the gambler, or
the shadow in her room; this was not even the worn and jaded man
whose face had so often met her own in the grey morning light; this
was her dear old friend, her harmless fellow- traveller, her good, kind
grandfather.
She had no fear as she looked upon his slumbering features, but she
had a deep and weighty sorrow, and it found its relief in tears.
'
'
God bless him!' said the child, stooping softly to kiss his placid cheek.
I see too well now, that they would indeed part us if they found us
out, and shut him up from the light of the sun and sky. He has only
me to help him. God bless us both!'
Lighting her candle, she retreated as silently as she had come, and,
gaining her own room once more, sat up during the remainder of that
long, long, miserable night.
At last the day turned her waning candle pale, and she fell asleep. She
was quickly roused by the girl who had shown her up to bed; and, as
soon as she was dressed, prepared to go down to her grandfather. But
first she searched her pocket and found that her money was all gone -
not a sixpence remained.
The old man was ready, and in a few seconds they were on their road.
The child thought he rather avoided her eye, and appeared to expect
that she would tell him of her loss. She felt she must do that, or he
might suspect the truth.
'Grandfather,' she said in a tremulous voice, after they had walked
about a mile in silence, 'do you think they are honest people at the
house yonder?'
'
Why?' returned the old man trembling. 'Do I think them honest - yes,
they played honestly.'
'
I'll tell you why I ask,' rejoined Nell. 'I lost some money last night - out
of my bedroom, I am sure. Unless it was taken by somebody in jest -
only in jest, dear grandfather, which would make me laugh heartily if I
could but know it - '
'
Who would take money in jest?' returned the old man in a hurried
manner. 'Those who take money, take it to keep. Don't talk of jest.'
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