ur way by the very person most interested in adopting the means I
have thought out: in this case, I beseech you to persevere as long
as there remains a hope of success. If, on the other hand, you raise
obstacles, if you find it insupportable to have a wife imposed on
you by a troublesome old aunt, a wife you cannot love, then I release
you from this condition, for I wish at least one member of the family
to think of me without abhorrence. Should the worst happen, you must
consult lawyer Van Beek, who knows my intentions, if you do not wish
to lose my fortune altogether. I expect better things of you, not
to mention that I count upon your good heart being moved towards a
young lady who has been deprived of her rights and the advantages of
her birth from infancy through the ill-will of her relations. These
rights and advantages a loving old aunt wishes you both to enjoy.

Sophia Roselaer de Werve.

P.S.--That I must sign myself simply Roselaer de Werve, and not
Baroness de Werve, is the fault of the General; but his obstinacy
and folly shall cost him dear.

CHAPTER IV.

"Now, what do you say to this?" asked Leopold, as Verheyst folded up
the letter with a thoughtful face.

"What do I say to it? Well, that it is a real woman's letter; the
most important point being contained in the post-scriptum."

"Ahem! you may be right; how is it possible that a Christian woman,
with one foot in the grave, can be inspired with such bitter hatred
of this family, and probably for what is the merest trifle."

"What shall I say?--From the merest trifles some of the longest and
most difficult lawsuits have arisen. But, for your sake, Leopold,
I could wish that this lady had been possessed of better feelings
towards her relations; it would render the whole business simpler. If
the young lady pleases you, marry her; if not, then propose to divide
the fortune between you. You will both be independent, and one can
live pretty comfortably on half a million."

"Would to heaven she had left me thirty thousand guilders without
conditions," sighed Leopold; "then I should have none of this bother."

"That certainly would have been pleasanter for you," replied Verheyst,
smiling, "but we get nothing for nothing; and if the old lady has
chosen you to be her instrument of revenge, why you cannot do less
than accept the encumbrance."

"I don't see it."

"I feel sure that on her death-bed she chuckled at the idea of leaving
a cha