nkful that I haven't a penny piece in the world!"

"If that is your feeling, you would be in a most unfortunate position as
the owner of the Court. It would be a pity to disturb your equanimity,
my dear."

Mr Farrell stretched out his thin hands on his knees, looking at her
with quizzical eyes, whereupon Mollie forgot her anger, and gave one of
her gay, infectious laughs, nodding her head towards him in mischievous,
new-found familiarity.

"Ah, you had me there! But I might be like Queen Bess, you know, and
prize my kingdom above any man; or, if one came along whom I really
wanted to marry, I'd send him to slay dragons and carry off golden
apples, to prove his devotion and disinterestedness. Don't cut me off
through any mistaken scruples, Uncle Bernard. I'd really make a
delightful chatelaine, and I should enjoy it so! No one appreciates the
real object of money more than I do!"

"And what is your idea of the `real value,' if one may ask?"

"To spend, of course!" she answered audaciously. "It is the only thing
to do, for if you keep it, it's just a dull collection of coins. I love
spending! Now, if I became a big heiress to-morrow, would you like to
know what I should do?"

"Extremely; it would be most interesting!" said Mr Farrell.

"Yes, Miss Mollie, do tell us!" urged Victor.

Jack looked up with a puckered brow, half amused, half anxious, and Ruth
murmured a gentle "Mollie dear!" Mollie was not to be deterred by
encouragement or warning. She lay back in her chair, tapping off each
item on her fingers as she spoke, her face one beam of mischievous
enjoyment.

"I'd settle annuities on all my relations and friends. I'd buy the most
exquisite presents, and send them round to everyone who had been kind to
me in my poor estate. I'd give huge donations to governess's Homes, and
funds for poor gentlewomen, and send them flowers, and fruit, and game.
I'd go to Liberty's, and buy artistic furniture, and hire experts to
superintend decorations, and, while the house was being put in order,
I'd go a voyage round the world, and buy stacks of lovely things at
every port, and see all the sights, and come home laden with spoils!
Then I'd settle down, and,"--she chuckled complacently--"I _would_ have
a good time! I'd have every single thing I wanted, and never think of
what it cost!"

"Until the bailiffs arrived; which would be surprisingly soon, I should
imagine!" said Uncle Bernard drily. "You have not muc