tainly is very serious to me; as you have a right to half of the
estate, I must account to you for it. You have--"

"I have," interrupted Gaston, "a right to ask you never to allude to the
subject again. It is yours by limitation."

"I cannot accept it upon those terms."

"But you must. My father only wished to have one of us inherit his
property; we will be carrying out his wishes by not dividing it."

Seeing that Louis's face still remained clouded, he went on:

"Ah, I see what annoys you, my dear Louis; you are rich, and think that
I am poor, and too proud to accept anything from you. Is it not so?"

Louis started at this question. How could he reply so as not to commit
himself?

"I am not rich," he finally said.

"I am delighted to hear it," cried Gaston. "I wish you were as poor as
Job, so that I might share what I have with you."

Dinner over, Gaston rose and said:

"Come, I want to visit with you, my--that is, our property. You must see
everything about the place."

Louis uneasily followed his brother. It seemed to him that Gaston
obstinately shunned anything like an explanation.

Could all this brotherly confidence be assumed to blind him as to his
real plans? Why did Gaston inquire into his brother's past and future,
without revealing his own? Louis's suspicions were aroused, and he
regretted his over-hasty seeking of Gaston.

But his calm, smiling face betrayed none of the anxious thoughts which
filled his mind.

He was called upon to praise everything. First he was taken over the
house and servants' quarters, then to the stable, kennels, and the
vast, beautifully laid-out garden. Across a pretty meadow was the
iron-foundery in full operation. Gaston, with all the enthusiasm of
a new proprietor, explained everything, down to the smallest file and
hammer.

He detailed all his projects; how he intended substituting wood for
coal, and how, besides having plenty to work the forge, he could make
immense profits by felling the forest trees, which had hitherto been
considered impracticable. He would cut a hundred cords of wood that
year.

Louis approved of everything; but only answered in monosyllables, "Ah,
indeed! excellent idea; quite a success."

His mind was tortured by a new pain; he was paying no attention to
Gaston's remarks, but enviously comparing all this wealth and prosperity
with his own poverty.

He found Gaston rich, respected, and happy, enjoying the price of his
own labor and