ere would be nothing to do but to sell the property which would then
be Mountjoy's, and pay themselves. Against this the dying man has
rebelled, and has come, as it were, out of the grave to disinherit the
son who has already contrived to disinherit himself. It is all an
effort to save Tretton."

"But it is dishonest," said Florence.

"No doubt about it. Looking at it any way it is dishonest, Either the
inheritance must belong to Mountjoy still, or it could not have been his
when he was allowed to borrow money upon it."

"I cannot understand it. I thought it was entailed upon him. Of course
it is nothing to me. It never could have been anything."

"But now the creditors declare that they have been cheated, and assert
that Mountjoy is being kept out of the way to aid old Mr. Scarborough in
the fraud. I cannot but say that I think it is so. But why he should
have attacked me just at the moment of his going, or why, rather, he
should have gone immediately after he had attacked me, I cannot say. I
have no concern whatever with him or his money, though I hope--I hope
that I may always have much with you. Oh, Florence, you surely have
known what has been within my heart."

To this appeal she made no response, but sat awhile considering what she
would say respecting Mountjoy Scarborough and his affairs.

"Am I to keep all this a secret?" she asked him at last.

"You shall consider that for yourself. I have not exacted from you any
silence on the matter. You may tell whom you please, and I shall not
consider that I have any ground of complaint against you. Of course for
my own sake I do not wish it to be told. A great injury was done me, and
I do not desire to be dragged into this, which would be another injury.
I suspect that Augustus Scarborough knows more than he pretends, and I
do not wish to be brought into the mess by his cunning. Whether you will
tell your mother you must judge yourself."

"I shall tell nobody unless you bid me." At that moment the door of the
room was opened, and Mrs. Mountjoy entered, with a frown upon her brow.
She had not yet given up all hope that Mountjoy might return, and that
the affairs of Tretton might be made to straighten themselves.

"Mamma, Mr. Annesley is here."

"So I perceive, my dear."

"I have come to your daughter to tell her how dearly I love her," said
Harry, boldly.

"Mr. Annesley, you should have come to me before speaking to my
daughter."

"Then I shouldn't have s