are dead. One died with him,
and one died years ago. Now do you understand?"

"No," she replied. "They cannot have left us anything, because they did
not know us."

"Sir Barnard and his only son died together, and the heir to Crown
Anstey, the title and the whole of that vast fortune is--myself."

"You are not jesting, Edgar?"

"No; I am telling you the simple, perfect truth." And then, when she had
recovered from what to her was really a shock, I gave her the whole
history.

"I hope you will like Mademoiselle, Clare. She is so utterly friendless
and alone that, unless we keep her with us, I do not know what is to
become of her."

"I shall be sure to like her," she said. "My heart is so full of
happiness that I shall love every one. O, Edgar, if I could but get
well!"

Yes, that was the one drawback to our happiness. The bright, sweet
sister, who would have enjoyed our prosperity so much, was a helpless
invalid.

That same afternoon I went to the office and invited all my fellow
clerks to a sumptuous dinner at a far-famed restaurant. I made some sad
hearts light and happy with my money, thank God! Poor Stephen Knowsley
had a sick mother and was three quarters behind with his rent. I gave
him fifty pounds, and the tears that stood in his eyes were the sweetest
thanks man could have. What gives such pleasure as plenty of money to
help one's friends?

A comfortable invalid carriage was provided for Clare, and the journey
did not fatigue her. We said good-by to the old life, the old
privations, the old trials, and embarked on a new, smiling and sunny
sea.

Another week saw us comfortably settled at Crown Anstey. The first
bewilderment of our new position passed away, I began to feel more at my
ease as master of that magnificent mansion, and on my sister's calm face
I saw already signs of returning health.

We had a grand reception when I returned with Clare to Crown Anstey. The
Anstey church bells pealed out merrily; the servants were all assembled;
mademoiselle, fresh and beautiful as a morning star, was in the hall.

I saw the kindly looks of commiseration that followed my sister. All the
servants in the house vied with one another who should he the most
attentive. Coralie looked at me, with sweet, sisterly anxiety shining in
her eyes.

The following day Coralie suggested we find two nice, large, lofty
cheerful rooms for my sister's use. We decided upon two in the western
wing--they both looked on the