y. "My mother will see you."

"I thought so," said Dick, smiling complacently.

CHAPTER XXXII.

A COLD RECEPTION.

Richard Varley followed Nicholas into the presence of Mrs. Kent. The
latter looked scrutinizingly at him as he approached, hoping that it
might be an impostor. But, no! there was no mistaking his appearance. It
was, indeed, her brother.

"How d'ye do, Helen," said Dick, with ostentatious cordiality.

"Very well, Richard," she answered coldly, slipping her hand out of his
grasp as quickly as she could.

"The old girl ain't very glad to see me," thought Dick. "Just as I
thought."

"How did you find me out?" asked Mrs. Kent.

"There was a man from this way told me of your good luck."

"Where were you, then?"

"In Missouri, near St. Louis."

"Indeed? Have you just come from there?"

"Yes."

"Did you have any business this way? I suppose you must, or you wouldn't
have come so far."

"I came on purpose to see you, Helen," said Dick, trying to look like an
affectionate brother, and signally failing.

"You are certainly very kind," said Mrs. Kent in a cold tone, evincing
not the slightest pleasure at his devotion. "I am afraid you must have
put yourself to a good deal of inconvenience on my account."

"Why, yes, I have," answered her brother, perceiving at once that he
might urge this as a claim upon her; "but what of that? Ain't you my
only sister, and hasn't it been years since we met?"

"Really, Richard," said Mrs. Kent, with a little quiet sarcasm, "I was
hardly prepared to expect from you so great an interest in me. I wonder
you didn't come before. It's a good many years since we met."

"Well, Helen, you see I couldn't afford it before. I wanted to see you,
but I couldn't raise the money to come East."

"You've raised it now, it seems."

"Yes; I had a little stroke of luck."

"You're doing well, then?" asked his sister, with a slight show of
interest.

If this were so, she was ready to welcome him.

"I said a little show of luck. I got together money enough to come
East."

"Oh, indeed!" returned Mrs. Kent, her manner becoming chilly again.

Dick got nettled. He didn't relish his reception.

"It seems to me you ain't very glad to see me," said he, bluntly.

"I never was very demonstrative," said his sister. "Did you expect me to
fall on your neck and embrace you?"

"No; but--well, you know what I mean. You are as cold as an icicle."

"It's my way, I suppose. Is yo