ly true: and Maude told me you knew what her sentiments
were upon the point. Her real wish, as expressed to me, was, that the
children should remain with me in any case, in their proper home."

"You say you have that other letter still?" cried the dowager, who was
not always very clear in her conversation.

"No doubt."

"Then perhaps you'll look for it: and read over her wishes in black and
white."

"To what end? It would make no difference in my decision. I tell you,
ma'am, I am consulting Maude's wishes in keeping her child at home."

"I know better," retorted the dowager, completely losing her temper. "I
wish your poor dear wife could rise from her grave and confute you. It's
all stinginess; because you won't part with a paltry bit of money."

"No," said Val, "it's because I won't part with my child. Understand me,
Lady Kirton--had Maude's wishes even been with you in this, I should not
carry them out. As to money--I may have something to say to you on that
score; but suppose we postpone it to a more fitting opportunity."

"You wouldn't carry them out!" she cried. "But you might be forced to,
you mean man! That letter may be as good as a will in the eyes of the
law. You daren't produce it; that's what it is."

"I'll give it you with pleasure," said Val, with a smile. "That is, if
I have kept it. I am not sure."

She caught up her fan, and sat fanning herself. The reservation had
suggested a meaning never intended to her crafty mind; her rebellious
son-in-law meant to destroy the letter; and she began wondering how she
could outwit him.

A sharp cry outside the door interrupted them. The children were only
coming in to dessert now; and Reginald, taking a flying leap down the
stairs, took rather too long a one, and came to grief at the bottom.
Truth to say, the young gentleman, no longer kept down by poor Edward,
was getting high-spirited and venturesome.

"What's that?" asked Anne, as the nurse came in with them, scolding.

"Lord Elster fell down, my lady. He's getting as tiresome as can be. Only
to-day, I caught him astride the kitchen banisters, going to slide down
them."

"Oh, Regy," said his mother, holding up her reproving finger.

The boy laughed, and came forward rubbing his arm, and ashamed of his
tears. Val caught him up and kissed them away, drawing Maude also to his
side.

That letter! The dowager was determined to get it, if there was a
possibility of doing so. A suspicion that she would