"Ferdy"--Clarice pulled the fuming youth down into his chair with a strong hand--"you and I can talk of that later. Meanwhile, as the appointment has been made, you can do nothing."
"I'll see a lawyer--I'll go into court--I'll--"
"You can do nothing," said Jerce, calmly and soothingly. "Horran had the full right to appoint whom he chose, and if he thought that Miss Baird was the most suitable person, you must accept the decision."
Ferdy sat down, silenced for once, but in a royal rage. Clarice laid her hand on his arm, but he jerked himself angrily away, whereupon a look of pain passed over her face. "You will not find me a hard guardian," she said, softly; then, as he still remained sullen, she turned to Barras. "Are there any arrangements made as to where we shall live?" she asked.
"No," answered the solicitor, replacing the will in his bag. "You can live here, or wherever you like. The will gives you complete control of four thousand a year, until you reach the age of twenty-five in two years, when you will, of course, give your brother half that income, and then--as you know--your guardianship ceases."
"I won't have Clarice as my guardian," cried Ferdy, wrathfully. "You must," said the girl, in a firm tone. "What is the use of going on like this, Ferdy? The will is a good one in law."
"A very excellent will," said Barras, primly.
"A great responsibility for you, Miss Baird," said Jerce, quietly.
"I am perfectly well able to bear it, doctor," she replied, sharply.
"See here," said young Baird, suddenly, and rousing himself from a brown study; "this will gives Clarice control of the four thousand a year."