lks of the clients for whom
he is engaged. But what a thing it is for Lucius! He would have lost
every acre of the property."

"Yes; it's a great thing for him, certainly." And then she began to
consider whether the standing held by Lucius Mason in the world was
not even yet somewhat precarious.

It was on the same day--in the evening--that she received her lover's
letter. She was alone when she read it, and she made herself quite
master of its contents before she sat herself to think in what way it
would be expedient that she should act. "I am bound to relinquish to
my brother-in-law my title to Orley Farm." Why should he be so bound,
unless--? And then she also came to that conclusion which Mr. Round
had reached, and which Joseph Mason had reached, when they heard that
the property was to be given up. "Yes, Sophia, I am a beggar," the
letter went on to say. She was very sorry, deeply sorry;--so, at
least, she said to herself. As she sat there alone, she took out her
handkerchief and pressed it to her eyes. Then, having restored it to
her pocket, after moderate use, she refolded her letter, and put that
into the same receptacle.

"Papa," said she, that evening, "what will Mr. Lucius Mason do now?
will he remain at Orley Farm?"

"No, my dear. He will leave Orley Farm, and, I think, will go abroad
with his mother."

"And who will have Orley Farm?"

"His brother Joseph, I believe."

"And what will Lucius have?"

"I cannot say. I do not know that he will have anything. His mother
has an income of her own, and he, I suppose, will go into some
profession."

"Oh, indeed. Is not that very sad for him, poor fellow?" In answer to
which her father made no remark.

That night, in her own room, she answered her lover's letter, and her
answer was as follows:--

Harley Street, March, 18--.

MY DEAR MR. MASON,

I need hardly tell you that I was grieved to the heart by
the tidings conveyed in your letter. I will not ask you
for that secret which you withhold from me, feeling that
I have no title to inquire into it; nor will I attempt to
guess at the cause which induces you to give up to your
brother the property which you were always taught to
regard as your own. That you are actuated by noble motives
I am sure; and you may be sure of this, that I shall
respect you quite as highly in your adversity as I have
ever done in your prosperity. That you will make your way
in the wo