But the sum is to be paid in instalments, at
long intervals. It may therefore be more convenient for you,
under your peculiar circumstances, to accept the offer I now
make of a pension of 1500 francs, to revert after your
decease to the servant whom you mentioned as so devotedly
attached to you. If you are willing to accept this offer,
the bearer will hand you the necessary documents, by which
you are to make over to me all further claim upon the
property placed in my hands; and on your affixing your
signature, he will pay you the first year in advance.
SIMON.'
'What a worthy, excellent man!' joyfully exclaimed the abbess; for, in
the noble integrity of her heart, she had no suspicion that he could
take advantage of her circumstances.
However Simon settled the matter with his conscience, the abbess,
trained in the school of adversity to be content with being preserved
from absolute want, passed the remainder of her life quietly and
happily with her good Margaret, both every day invoking blessings on
the head of him whom they regarded as a generous benefactor.
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