to hear that you will be very rich.
It is proper and right you should know it now, just as it was important
you should remain in ignorance of the fact during childhood. I have
requested hitherto your aunts and your governess to make no allusions to
your future prospects. If I am not mistaken, you learn the truth from me
for the first time."

He paused as if expecting an answer.

"Yes, it has never occurred to me to inquire about the future," said I.
"I knew that we lived in comfort. Beyond that I have not thought on the
subject."

"It is as I supposed," said my father. "Unless I see reason to alter the
present distribution of my property, you will be one of the richest
women in town. When you were a child, Virginia, I felt badly at times
that you were not a boy; I wanted a son to inherit my name and fortune.
But one day it occurred to me, that, though a daughter could not make
money, she might learn to spend it as well as a son. The thought
comforted me; for I have made all the money we can need for many
generations to come, and my only desire is that when I am gone there
shall be some one to use it as I would like. There is an idea, I know,
that women are not fitted to comprehend the value of money, and that it
is unwise to give them the control of large sums. However correct that
may be, the tendency of all modern legislation shows that the world is
in favor of their administering their own affairs. At any rate, I
propose to make the experiment. Unless you convince me beforehand that I
am mistaken, I shall leave you at my death the mistress of over three
million dollars."

While I was trying to form a definite idea of so much wealth, my father
rose, and going to a side-table took up a large tin box, on the top of
which lay a plush-covered case and a pile of pamphlets.

"In this trunk," he said, "you will find one hundred thousand dollars in
first-rate securities, registered in your name. I want you to learn, so
far as is possible for a woman, the care of property. These newspapers
and reports will help you somewhat. I shall be glad to answer all your
questions, and will keep you supplied with the latest intelligence
relating to your property; for I give you these stocks and bonds to use
as you see fit. You will find a cheque-book and a bank-book inside. One
must learn to appreciate the value of money in order to use it well. I
would not advise you to change your investments at first without
consulting me. You mu