ised from extreme poverty to wealth, and now--"

She paused and looked at her companion.

"And now you want to know how I came by my fortune?" smilingly inquired
Victor.

"Yes, of course I do," answered Electra.

"The explanation is short and simple enough. I became suddenly rich, as
some few other poor vagabonds have, by a fortunate stroke of the
pick--by a California gold mine," quietly answered Victor.

"Oh!" exclaimed Electra.

And she stopped and put him away from her a step, and stood and stared
at him.

Victor laughed. And then they went on, for their companions were at the
gates of the University, waiting for them to come along.

They entered the beautiful grounds occupied by the extensive buildings
of the University, and where several of the professors, as well as a few
of the students who had not yet left for the vacation, were taking their
morning walks.

The visitors were soon met by Dr. Jones and Alden Lytton, who came up
together to welcome them.

After the usual greetings, Alden introduced his party to several of the
professors, who received them with great courtesy, and attended them
through the various buildings, pointing out to them the most notable
objects of interest, and entertaining them with the history, statistics
and anecdotes of the institution.

They were taken into the various libraries, where they saw collected
vast numbers of the most valuable books, among which were a few very
unique black letter and illuminated volumes of great antiquity.

They were then led into the several halls, where were collected costly
astronomical and chemical apparatus.

And finally they visited the museum, filled with cabinets of minerals,
shells, woods, fossils, and so forth.

And after an interesting but very fatiguing tour of inspection, that
occupied four hours, they were invited to rest in the house of one of
the professors, where they were refreshed with a dainty lunch, after
which they returned to the village.

And the evening was spent socially in Mrs. Wheatfield's drawing-room.

CHAPTER XX.

A SURPRISE.

In the course of that evening they were surprised by a visit. It was
from Mr. Craven Kyte, who came to call on Miss Cavendish.

He was invited into the drawing-room and introduced to the whole party.

Mr. Kyte was in the deepest state of despondency.

He told Miss Emma that a few days previous he had received a letter from
Mrs. Grey, saying that she was about to leave