come down-stairs. So she ran up to his room, and
finding him seated in an old arm-chair by the fire-side, knelt down
at his feet, as she took his hand and asked him as to his health.

"What has Mrs. Winterfield done for you in her will?" These were the
first words he spoke to her.

"Never mind about wills now, papa. I want you to tell me of
yourself."

"Nonsense, Clara. Answer my question."

"Oh, papa, I wish you would not think so much about money for me."

"Not think about it? Why am I not to think about it? What else have I
got to think of? Tell me at once, Clara, what she has done. You ought
to have written to me directly the will was made known."

There was no help for her, and the terrible word must be spoken. "She
has left her property to Captain Aylmer, papa; and I must say that I
think she is right."

"You do not mean everything?"

"She has provided for her servants."

"And has made no provision for you?"

"No, papa."

"Do you mean to tell me that she has left you nothing,--absolutely
nothing?" The old man's manner was altogether altered as he asked
this question; and there came over his face so unusual a look of
energy,--of the energy of anger,--that Clara was frightened, and knew
not how to answer him with that tone of authority which she was
accustomed to use when she found it necessary to exercise control
over him. "Do you mean to say that there is nothing,--nothing?" And
as he repeated the question he pushed her away from his knees and
stood up with an effort, leaning against the back of his chair.

"Dear papa, do not let this distress you."

"But is it so? Is there in truth nothing?"

"Nothing, papa. Remember that she was not really my aunt."

"Nonsense, child;--nonsense! How can you talk such trash to me as
that? And then you tell me not to distress myself! I am to know
that you will be a beggar in a year or two,--probably in a few
months,--and that is not to distress me! She has been a wicked
woman!"

"Oh, papa, do not say that."

"A wicked woman. A very wicked woman. It is always so with those who
pretend to be more religious than their neighbours. She has been a
very wicked woman, alluring you into her house with false hopes."

"No, papa;--no; I must contradict you. She had given me no ground for
such hope."

"I say she had,--even though she may not have made a promise. I say
she had. Did not everybody think that you were to have her money?"

"I don't know what people may h