stle, passing by the
aviary, which had fallen into decay like its surroundings. The Captain
had, however, turned it into a poultry-walk, and held undisputed
sway over the turkeys with which he had stocked it. The General,
who had come out against his will, leaned on the arm of Francis,
and I walked by her side. Ascending a small rise in the grounds we
came to a summer-house, whence we could obtain a splendid view of
the surrounding country--a sweep of undulating heath as far as the
eye could reach. Francis said this was her favourite place in the
grounds, and that she never grew tired of the charming prospect;
but I could see that her grandfather's thoughts were occupied about
something quite different from the picturesque view. All the farms in
the neighbourhood, and all the woods around, formerly appertained to
the lordship of the Werve; and all these ought to have descended intact
to his granddaughter, to whom he would not leave a foot of earth.

"By the way, nephew, what has become of the six other Miss d'Hermaeles,
your mother's sisters?" asked the General, breaking the silence
briskly.

Francis burst out laughing.

"Grandfather beginning to take an interest in the fate of six young
ladies all at once! That's too much! But he wishes to know, Leo,
whether you have a chance of inheriting anything from a rich aunt,"
she said, displaying a quickness of perception peculiar to her. "Isn't
it so, grandfather?"

I hastened to answer--

"Three of them died long ago; two others made good marriages, but
they have children of their own; and one, Aunt Sophia, is maintained
by the rest of the family, I contributing in proportion to my means."

"Aunt Sophia," repeated the General; "had the d'Hermaeles the foresight
to make Sophia Roselaer godmother to one of their children?"

"It is possible," I answered, "but I don't know for certain; my mother
seldom talked to me about her relations."

"At any rate it appears to me she has been made heir to the property
of that mischief-loving woman, Miss Roselaer," continued the General;
"and probably you, Leopold, were not informed of the death, nor invited
to the funeral any more than ourselves? As far as I am concerned I
expected such treatment; yet I cannot understand that she should allow
her hatred to deprive the only granddaughter of her eldest sister of
the property."

I now felt myself on dangerous ground; but Francis came to my rescue
by saying, in a tone of pleasantry--