s ward's manner, however, seemed not to
disturb the serenity of Sir Marmaduke to any appreciable extent. Casting
a quick, inquisitorial glance at Sue, he shrugged his shoulders in token
of indifference and said no more.

"Certainly, certainly," responded Master Skyffington, somewhat
embarrassed, "my dear young lady ... hem ... as ... er ... as you wish
... but ..."

Then he turned deliberately to Sir Marmaduke, once more bringing him
into the proceedings, and tacitly condemning her ladyship's
extraordinary attitude towards his distinguished patron.

"Having now explained to Lady Sue Aldmarshe the terms of her noble
father's will," he said, "methinks that she is ready to receive the
moneys from our hands, good Sir Marmaduke, and thereupon to give us the
proper receipt prescribed by law, for the same ..."

He checked himself for a moment, and then made a respectful, if pointed,
suggestion:

"Mistress de Chavasse?" he said inquiringly.

"Mistress de Chavasse is a member of the family," replied Sir Marmaduke,
"the business can be transacted in her presence."

"Nothing therefore remains to be said, my dear young lady," rejoined
Master Skyffington, once more speaking directly to Sue and placing his
lean hands with fingers outstretched, over the bundles of papers lying
before him. "Here are your securities, your grants, moneys and receipts,
worth L500,000 of the present currency of this realm.... These I, in
mine own name and that of my honored friend and patron, Sir Marmaduke de
Chavasse, do hereby hand over to you. You will, I pray, verify and sign
the receipt in proper and due form."

He began sorting and overlooking the papers, muttering half audibly the
while, as he transferred each bundle from his own side of the table to
that beside which Lady Sue was sitting:

"The deeds of property in Holland ... hem.... Receipt of moneys
deposited at the bank of Amsterdam.... The same from the Bank of
Vienna.... Grant of monopoly for the hemp trade in Russia.... hem ..."

Thus he mumbled for some time, as these papers, representing a fortune,
passed out of his keeping into those of a young maid but recently out of
her teens. Sue watched him silently and placidly, just as she had done
throughout this momentous interview, which was, of a truth, the starting
point of her independent life.

Her face expressed neither joy nor excitement of any kind. She knew that
all the wealth which now lay before her, would only pass briefl