ave seen my
physician since I came up to town, and I don't think it will last much
longer. A little time ago I did not wish it to last, now I should be
glad to go on until I can see my little scheme realized; but I am
quite sure that it is not to be. Anyhow I am ready to go when I am
summoned, and am happy in the thought that the few people I care for
are all in a fair way to be happy. Don't cry, dear. I don't want a
single cloud to hang over our memories of this time. I am happier than
I have ever been in my life, and I want you and all of them to be very
happy too. I have set my mind upon that, and if I see a cloud on your
face it will spoil it all."

Still in spite of this she had hoped the doctor might have taken too
gloomy a view of the case, and that Herbert Penfold's death might yet
be a distant event.

And now it was all over. Herbert Penfold was dead. The heart that had
beat so kindly for her was silenced forever. It was then a long time
before Mrs. Conway recovered sufficiently from her emotion to take up
the letter again. She did so with an air almost of indifference. She
had learned the news, and doubtless all this long epistle contained
many details of comparatively little interest. But as she read her air
of languid grief gave way to an expression of keen interest, and she
skimmed through the last page or two with anxious haste. Then she
reread it more slowly and carefully, and then throwing it on the table
stood up and walked up and down the little room.

So these women, who had as she believed ruined her life and Herbert's,
were now going to attack her son and rob him of his rights. They
should not do it if she could help it. Never! Mary Vernon had been a
high-spirited girl, and, although those who had only known her through
her widowhood would have taken her for a gentle and quiet woman, whose
thoughts were entirely wrapped up in her boy, the old spirit was alive
yet, as with head thrown back, and an angry flush on her cheeks, she
declared to herself that she would defend Ralph's rights to the last.
How or in what manner she did not ask; she only knew that those who
would defraud him were her old enemies.

Had it been otherwise the fact that they were Herbert's sisters would
have softened her toward them; now that fact only added to the
hostility she bore them. They, his nearest relations of blood, had
ruined his life; now they would defeat his dying wishes. It should not
be if she could help it. S