only tell me plainly how much money I can have now, and how
I am to receive it in the future, I shall be quite satisfied; and if I
owe you anything you can deduct it, please."

Mr. Lloyd smiled and shook his head at this unbusiness-like proposal.

"Well," he said, "young ladies can't be expected to know much of
business ways, but I should certainly like to go into the accounts with
you at the first opportunity. He has left you the bulk of his
property, the income of which is about 150 pounds a year; and, after
deducting the legacies and my costs and all expenses, I shall have in
hand about 300 pounds for you."

"Three hundred pounds," said Valmai, "what a lot of money! Could you
take care of it for me, Mr. Lloyd? and let me send to you for it when I
want it," she added nervously.

"Certainly, my dear young lady, and I will send you a statement of
accounts as soon as possible."

After a few more business arrangements Valmai left the office, feeling
she had quite acted up to her new _role_ of an independent woman of
business.

Making her way to a quiet hotel, the landlord of which she remembered
had been an intimate acquaintance of her uncle's, she procured a bed
there for the night, and in the morning arose with the feeling that the
dear old past was dead, and that a new and unlovely life lay before her.

CHAPTER XV.

THE SISTERS.

In the spacious, handsomely-furnished drawing-room of a large
country-house, two ladies sat on a quiet evening in autumn. The large
bay window looked out over extensive grounds to the blue hills beyond.
In the pale evening sky the crescent moon hung like a silver boat, the
trees in the quiet air looked black as if drawn in ink. In the grate a
large wood fire crackled, which the elder lady seemed much to enjoy as
she rubbed her hands one over another on her knee, and spoke in a low,
purring tone. The younger occupant of the room was a girl about twenty
years of age; she was fair and fragile-looking compared with her portly
companion, who was rather florid in complexion.

"Put your work away, my dear," said the elder lady; "it is getting too
dark for you to see."

"This is the last petal, auntie," said the girl, still bending her head
with its wealth of golden hair over her work. At last with a satisfied
"There!" she laid it on the table and turned towards the bay window,
through which might be seen a fair view of the park, with its
undulating knolls and clumps of trees