Mrs. Lowell went on to tell of Cora and the drudgery of the boy's dull and dulling existence, and her listener's eyes lost their customary serenity.
"It must not be," said the girl at last, as her companion ceased. "Have you made a diagnosis?"
"I only feel that the 'root of all evil' must be at the bottom of it," replied Mrs. Lowell. "The Old Nick, as Veronica calls him, must believe there is money to be secured, and that if he can only prove that his nephew is incompetent, he can gain charge of it. Bertie told me that his mother's people were rich."
"Of course, then, that is the key; but it does not explain what the man is doing with pickaxe and shovel up at my farm."
"Your farm, my dear?"
"Perhaps," said Diana carelessly. "But that is not interesting us now. Mrs. Lowell, I adore the unselfishness which has caused you to give your time to this boy. I have tried to converse with him, but his lack of responsiveness seems to obscure the clarity of my mental processes. I wish, however, to have a hand in his salvation. The thing to do now, it appears to me, is to discover this Loring family. That will take money and I will supply it."
"My dear Miss Diana!"
"Drop the Miss, please. I feel honored by your friendship. Do you know of a good lawyer?"
"My husband is a lawyer."
"Then, please, ask him to proceed at once."