ed eclipse beside
her rival's radiant bloom and graceful carriage; and yet a little of
the bloom had been dimmed of late, and the brown eyes had lost their
brightness.

As a well-known figure crossed the square, she turned from the window
with a sigh of relief; "at last," she murmured, as she sat down and
made a pretense of busying herself with some fancy work; but it lay
unheeded on her lap as Erle entered and sat down beside her.

"I am afraid I am very late this afternoon, Eva," he said, taking her
hand. "Mrs. Trafford wanted to speak to me, and so I went up to her
room; we had so much business to settle. She has given me a great deal
of trouble, poor woman; but I think I shall have my way at last."

"You mean about the money?"

"Yes; I think she will be induced to let me set aside a yearly sum for
her maintenance. She says it is only for her children's sake if she
accept it; but I fear the truth is that she feels her strength has
gone, and that she can not work for them any longer."

"And she will not take the half?"

"No; not even a quarter; though I tell her that so much wealth will be
a heavy burden to me. Eight hundred a year--that is all she will
accept, and it is to be settled on her children. Eight hundred; it is
a mere pittance."

"Yes; but she and her daughters will live very comfortably on that;
think how poor they have been; indeed, dear, I think you may be
satisfied that you have done the right thing; and after all, your
uncle wished you to have the money."

"I do not care about it," with a stifled sigh. "We shall be awfully
rich, Eva; but I suppose women like that sort of thing. I shall be
able to buy you that diamond pendant now that you so admired."

"No, no; I do not want it; you give me too many presents. Tell me,
Erle, does Miss Trafford come to see her mother, now she is ill?"

"Yes, of course; but I never see her," he answered so quickly that
Evelyn looked at him in surprise. "I have not spoken to her once since
Uncle Rolf's death--the lawyers keep me so busy; and I never go into
the sick-room unless I am specially invited."

"But poor Mrs. Trafford is better now."

"Yes; and Doctor Connor says that it will be better for her to be
anywhere than at Belgrave House. We want to persuade her to go down to
Hastings for the rest of the winter. When I see Miss Trafford, I mean
to speak to her about it; but"--interrupting himself hurriedly--"never
mind all that now; you told me in your lett