d a whole
family thus wiped out at a blow.

Early in February she received a telegram from her London solicitor
saying that he wished to see her on an important matter. Her answer was:
"Come at once"; and at tea-time Mr. Copleston arrived. He was an old
friend and she greeted him warmly. She was a little chilled when he
answered with what seemed unusual deference:

'I thank your Ladyship for your kindness!' She raised her eyebrows but
made no comment: she was learning to be silent under surprise. When she
had handed the old gentleman his tea she said:

'My aunt has chosen to remain away, thinking that you might wish to see
me privately. But I take it that there is nothing which she may not
share. I have no secrets from her.'

He rubbed his hands genially as he replied:

'Not at all; not at all! I should like her to be present. It will, I am
sure, be a delight to us all.'

Again raised eyebrows; again silence on the subject. When a servant
answered her bell she told him to ask Miss Rowly if she would kindly join
them.

Aunt Laetitia and the solicitor were old cronies, and their greeting was
most friendly. When the old gentlewoman had seated herself and taken her
cup of tea, Mr. Copleston said to Stephen, with a sort of pomposity:

'I have to announce your succession to the Earldom de Lannoy!'

Stephen sat quite still. She knew the news was true; Mr. Copleston was
not one who would jest on a business subject, and too accurate a lawyer
to make an error in a matter of fact. But the fact did not seem to touch
her. It was not that she was indifferent to it; few women could hear
such news without a thrill. Mr. Copleston seemed at a loss. Miss Rowly
rose and quietly kissed her, and saying simply, 'God bless you, my dear!'
went back to her seat.

Realising that Mr. Copleston expected some acknowledgment, Stephen held
out her hand to him and said quietly:

'Thank you!'

After a long pause she added quietly:

'Now, won't you tell us about it? I am in absolute ignorance; and don't
understand.'

'I had better not burden you, at first, with too many details, which can
come later; but give you a rough survey of the situation.'

'Your title of Countess de Lannoy comes to you through your ancestor
Isobel, third and youngest daughter of the sixth Earl; Messrs Collinbrae
and Jackson, knowing that my firm acted for your family, communicated
with us. Lest there should be any error we followed most carefu