old gracefully. The law was his taskmaster; he practised from a sense
of duty, but ever held that those who rushed to court were likely
to repeat the experience of Voltaire, who had twice been ruined:
once when he lost a law suit; the second time, when he won one!
Nevertheless, people persisted in coming to Culver wantonly welcoming
unknown ills.

"Well, Miss Carew," he now exclaimed, after warmly greeting his
visitors, "have you disburdened yourself of prejudice against this
estate? Wealth may be a little hardship at first, but soon you won't
mind it."

"Not a bit!" spoke up Barnes. "It's as easy to get used to as--poverty,
and we've had plenty of that!"

"You know the other condition?" she said, half-defiantly, half-sadly.
"You are to be with me always."

"How can you teach an old dog new tricks?" protested Barnes. "How can
you make a fine man about town out of a 'heavy father?'"

"The 'heavy father' is my father. I never knew any other. I am glad I
never did."

"Hoity-toity!" he exclaimed scoffingly, but pleased nevertheless.

"You can't put me off that way," she said, decisively, with a sudden
flash in her eyes he knew too well to cross. "Either you leave the
stage, too, or--"

"Of course, my dear, of course--"

"Then it's all settled you will accept the encumbrance to which you
have fallen heir," resumed Culver. "Even if there had been no will in
your favor, the State of Louisiana follows the French law, and the
testator can under no circumstances alienate more than half his
property, if he leave issue or descendants. Had the old will remained,
its provisions could not have been legally carried out."

"The old will?" said Barnes. "Then there was another will?"

"One made before he was aware of your existence, Miss Carew, in favor
of his ward, Ernest Saint-Prosper."

"Ernest Saint-Prosper!"

Constance's cheeks flamed crimson, and her quick start of surprise did
not escape the observant lawyer. Barnes, too, looked amazed over this
unexpected intelligence.

"Saint-Prosper was the marquis' ward?" he cried.

The attorney transferred his gaze from the expressive features of his
fair client to the open countenance of the manager. "Yes," he said.

"And would have inherited this property but for Constance?"

"Exactly! But you knew him, Mr. Barnes?"

"He was an occupant of the chariot, sir," replied the manager, with
some feeling. "We met in the Shadengo Valley; the company was in sore
straits, and-