h idea of the
responsibility of wealth, my dear. I prefer not to discuss the point,
however. My own views, which are peculiar, are set forth in the Will
which is lying in the desk in my room."

The four young people looked up sharply. The same question was on the
lips of each; but it was Victor's eagerness which first found words--

"The Will?--Now! But surely--?"

Mr Farrell's lips twisted into a grim smile, as if he had of deliberate
purpose provoked their curiosity.

"You are surprised that I have already come to a conclusion. It is by
no means unchangeable; but, in the extremely precarious condition of my
health, I do not think it safe to delay matters indefinitely. This Will
was drawn up last week, and is based upon my impressions up to the
present time. If I live it is extremely likely that I may alter my mind
once and again; but it should be a comfort to you all to feel that, at
the worst, I am not unprepared."

He looked from one to the other with the same faint, mocking smile, his
gaze lingering on Ruth's troubled face. Her eyes expressed a
questioning so intense as to be almost wild; then slowly they fell
before his, and a crimson tide rushed over her cheeks.

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

HARD AT WORK.

Preparations for Mrs Thornton's garden-party went on uninterruptedly
during the next week, and grew in fervour as the great day approached.
Everybody had accepted, as the hostess announced with a groan and a
laugh; and the vicar threatened to be called abroad on urgent business,
so alarmed was he at the prospect of the fashionable throng which was to
invade his shabby precincts. When, however, Mrs Thornton made up her
mind to carry out a plan, she was not easily damped; and aided by Mollie
and the younger members of her brood, she weeded, and forked, and
clipped at the over-grown garden, until it really began to assume quite
a presentable appearance.

"I daren't weed," Mollie explained, "for I'm a poor town thing, who
would probably pull up your most cherished seedlings; but my arms are so
strong that I can mow with the best, so I'll take the grass in hand, if
someone else will trim the borders."

"But your face, my dear--your face!" cried Mrs Thornton, staring with
dismay at the crimsoned countenance beneath the straw hat. "I'm ashamed
to let you work so hard! What would your uncle say if he saw you now?"

"Something uncomplimentary, no doubt. I know I am magenta, but
fortunately it isn