very unpleasant about it, Ralph. I had plenty to do
and to think about, and the time passed a great deal more rapidly than
it would have done if I had been staying at home all by myself. It
would have been very lonely and dull then; and I can assure you that I
considered it no hardship at all being at the Hall. But you must not
interrupt me in my story. If you do I shall tell you nothing more
about it until you get home to England."

This threat effectually sealed Ralph's lips, and beyond occasional
exclamations he said nothing until the story was ended.

"Well, it's all very wonderful, mother," he said; "and I should never
have thought for a moment that you were so brave, and could have put
things together like that, and could have carried out such a scheme.
But I am awfully glad you have succeeded; because you had set your
mind on it, and the money will I hope make you quite comfortable. How
much was it after all mother? You never told me that."

"It is half of Mr. Penfold's estates, and of the money he had
invested, which is a very large sum, Ralph; although I do not know how
much."

"Half the estate! Why, it will make me quite a rich man. I never
dreamed it was anything like that. I thought most likely it was enough
to continue the allowance that he said he should make me. Why, mother,
it is tremendous! And what becomes of the other half?"

"That is left to Mabel Withers, Ralph. You two divide everything that
he left."

"Well, that certainly is rather hard upon his sisters," Ralph said;
"and I don't blame them for being against it. Though, of course, it
was not right to keep the will hidden."

"Mr. Penfold did not leave anything to them, because they are both
very well provided for. Their father left them a handsome sum at his
death; and as they have been living at the Hall ever since, and can
have spent nothing, they must be very amply provided for. Their
brother, therefore, naturally considered he was perfectly at liberty
to leave his property as he chose. I do not think the Miss Penfolds
have the slightest reason to grumble, after living as they have done
for the last twenty years at their brother's expense."

"Of course that makes a difference," Ralph agreed; "it certainly
didn't seem nice that Mabel and I, who are no relation by blood to Mr.
Penfold, should come into the property that his sisters expected would
be theirs. But, of course, now you explain it, it is different."

"I do not think in any c