d set forth by train to Hurminster to assert her rights, and those of
her children, armed with a black sunshade, and three
pocket-handkerchiefs. She did not usually wear mourning, but this was an
assertion of her nobility.

In his sitting-room, wearing his old office coat, pale, wearied, and
worried, the Frank Morton, 'who could be turned round the finger of any
one who knew how,' appeared at her summons.

She met him with an effusive kiss of congratulation. 'Dearest Frank!
No, I must not say Frank! I could hardly believe my eyes when I read the
news.'

'Nor I,' said he.

'Nor the dear children. Oh, if your dear brother were only here! We are
longing to hear all about it,' she said, as she settled herself in the
arm-chair, a relic of his mother.

He repeated what he had told Mary about the family, the Park, and the
London house.

'I suppose there is a fine establishment of servants and carriages?'

'The servants are to be paid off. As to the carriages and the rest of
the personal property, they go to Miss Morton; but the executors are
arranging about my paying for such furniture as I shall want.'

'And jewels?'

'There are some heirlooms, but I have not seen them. How are the
children?'

'Very well; very much delighted. Dear Herbert is the noblest boy. He
was ready to begin on his navigation studies this next term, but of
course there is no occasion for that now.'

'It is a pity, with his taste for the sea, that he is too old to be a
naval cadet.'

'The army is a gentleman's profession, if he must have one.'

'I must consider what is best for him.'

'Yes, my Lord,' impressively. 'I am hoping to know what you mean to do
for your dear brother's dear orphans,' and her handkerchief went up to
her eyes.

'I hope at any rate to give Herbert the education of a gentleman, and to
send his sisters to good schools. How are they getting on?'

'Dear Ida, she is that clever and superior that a master in music and
French is all she would want. Besides, you know, she is that delicate.
Connie is the bookish one; she is so eager about the examination that she
will go on at her school; though I would have taken her away from such a
low place at once.'

'It is a good school, and will have given her a good foundation. I must
see what may be best for them.'

'And, of course, you will put us in a situation becoming the family of
your dear brother,' she added, with another application of the
handkerchief.