"
She thought deeply for a few moments longer, then added a postscript
to her letter:
"I am very sorry, but I can only send you one note for five pounds
to-night. Even this, however, is better than nothing. I will give
further help as soon as I hear from your friend." Maggie then folded
her letter, addressed, stamped it and took it downstairs.
Miss Oliphant was an heiress; she was also an orphan; her father and
mother were mere memories to her; she had neither brothers nor
sisters; she did not particularly like her guardian, who was old and
worldly wise, as different as possible from the bright, enthusiastic,
impulsive girl. Mr. Oliphant thought money the aim and object of life:
when he spoke to Maggie about it, she professed to hate it. In reality
she was indifferent to it; money was valueless to her because she had
never felt its want.
She lay awake for a long time that night, thinking of Penywern
Cottage, of tired Aunt Raby, of the little girls who wanted food, and
education, and care, and love. After a time she fell asleep. In her
sleep she ceased to think of Priscilla's relations: all her thoughts
were with Priscilla herself. She dreamt that she saw Priscilla move
stealthily in her room, take up her purse with wary fingers, open it,
remove a note for five pounds and hide the purse once more under books
and papers.
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