for
herself."

"And inherits the fortune?"

"Only an income from part of it--if her marriage is disapproved by her
guardian and her relatives."

"And what becomes of the rest?"

"The whole of it," said Mr. Mool, "will be invested by the Trustees, and
will be divided equally, on her death, among her children."

"Suppose she leaves no children?"

"That case is provided for, ma'am, by the last clause. I will only say
now, that you are interested in the result."

Mrs. Gallilee turned swiftly and sternly to her son. "When I am dead and
gone," she said, "I look to you to defend my memory."

"To defend your memory?" Ovid repeated, wondering what she could
possibly mean.

"If I do become interested in the disposal of Robert's fortune--which
God forbid!--can't you foresee what will happen?" his mother inquired
bitterly. "Lady Northlake will say, 'Maria intrigued for this!'"

Mr. Mool looked doubtfully at the ferns. No! His vegetable allies were
not strong enough to check any further outpouring of such family feeling
as this. Nothing was to be trusted, in the present emergency, but the
superior authority of the Will.

"Pardon me," he said; "there are some further instructions, Mrs.
Gallilee, which, as I venture to think, exhibit your late brother's
well-known liberality of feeling in a very interesting light. They
relate to the provision made for his daughter, while she is residing
under your roof. Miss Carmina is to have the services of the best
masters, in finishing her education."

"Certainly!" cried Mrs. Gallilee, with the utmost fervour.

"And the use of a carriage to herself, whenever she may require it."

"No, Mr. Mool! _Two_ carriages--in such a climate as this. One open, and
one closed."

"And to defray these and other expenses, the Trustees are authorized to
place at your disposal one thousand a year."

"Too much! too much!"

Mr. Mool might have agreed with her--if he had nor known that Robert
Graywell had thought of his sister's interests, in making this excessive
provision for expenses incurred on his daughter's account.

"Perhaps, her dresses and her pocket money are included?" Mrs. Gallilee
resumed.

Mr. Mool smiled, and shook his head. "Mr. Graywell's generosity has no
limits," he said, "where his daughter is concerned. Miss Carmina is to
have five hundred a year for pocket-money and dresses."

Mrs. Gallilee appealed to the sympathies of her son. "Isn't it
touching?" she said. "Dear Carm