Mr. Ricaby entered the room hurriedly. His face was serious and his manner agitated. Paula advanced eagerly to meet him.
"Bad news!" he began. "That which I feared has happened."
The young girl turned pale.
"You mean that we have lost?"
The lawyer sank wearily into a chair, and in a tone of utter discouragement went on:
"Yes—we've lost! I did all I could. The court allows that you were born in wedlock—oh, yes—that much they admit. Also that your father was not insane when he made his will—very kind of them—and that you, his daughter, may inherit his estates—but——"
"But what?" she demanded anxiously.
The lawyer looked at her in silence. He hesitated to let her know the worst all at once. Slowly he said:
"Your uncle—is appointed your guardian and custodian during your minority, and that means he will have complete control of you—and of your money——"
"My uncle?" she cried in dismay. "Oh, Mr. Ricaby—couldn't you have prevented that?"