Gowan had expressed his intention of going up to settle definitely with Christian about the matter of Jeemsie, and she was most anxious for Val to be present.  To this he had at once consented; for he felt it a foremost duty to protect the faith of the little lad.  So next morning the interview would come off.

“It was a stormy conference!” was Val’s first remark, when we met for lunch next day.  “But we’ve won the victory for the little chap’s faith, though it has cost us Gowan’s further patronage!”

The man had refused to be persuaded to allow the priest to choose some institution to which Jeemsie might safely be sent—­merely because it was a priest who wished to have a voice in the matter, Val was inclined to think; for the Protestant Home which Gowan favored was in no way superior.  They discussed the question in all its bearings, and eventually Gowan lost his temper and showed his hand.  He meant to bring up all the children Protestants!  He had learned by experience what a hindrance it was to have to submit in everything to the dictation of priests, and he was determined to have no more of it!

It was at that stage that Christian interposed.  Very quietly but firmly she spoke her mind.

“If you expect me to risk the loss of my children’s souls as well as my own for the sake of worldly advantages, Cousin Aleck, I may as well speak plainly.  I would rather stay here and work myself to death than take your money.”

This produced a terrific storm of abuse from Gowan.  He called her “priest-ridden” and every kind of fool and idiot.  She would soon learn to repent of her folly, for he would go straightway to a lawyer and change his will!  Not a penny would she get—­now or later—­from him, as she would find one day to her cost!  Then he dashed away without further discussion.

“The fellow is a brute!” was Val’s conclusion.  “They are well rid of him!  What a blessing he showed himself in his true colors before it was too late!”

Gowan left the neighborhood that very day.  No one knew his destination.  Mrs. Dobie replied to all inquiries that Mr. Gowan had paid “like a gentleman,” and she was “sorry that some people did’na ken when they were well off!”—­alluding, of course, to Christian.  But Mrs. Dobie, not being “of the household of the Faith,” could not be expected to show sympathy toward a course of action which robbed her of so profitable a guest.

Thus were our golden dreams dispelled!  Ardmuirland, indeed, took some little time to recover from the dazzling visions which the coming of “the millionaire”—­as Val and I delighted to style him in private—­had called up, but in a year or so Gowan’s name had become a mere memory to most of us.  Christian alone—­true to her baptismal name—­held that memory in benediction; every night she and her little ones gave a prominent place in their family prayers to the “Cousin Aleck” whom they all regarded as a generous benefactor.  It was