“You can’t put me off that way,” she said, decisively, with a sudden flash in her eyes he knew too well to cross. “Either you leave the stage, too, or––”
“Of course, my dear, of course––”
“Then it’s all settled you will accept the encumbrance to which you have fallen heir,” resumed Culver. “Even if there had been no will in your favor, the State of Louisiana follows the French law, and the testator can under no circumstances alienate more than half his property, if he leave issue or descendants. Had the old will remained, its provisions could not have been legally carried out.”
“The old will?” said Barnes. “Then there was another will?”
“One made before he was aware of your existence, Miss Carew, in favor of his ward, Ernest Saint-Prosper.”
“Ernest Saint-Prosper!”
Constance’s cheeks flamed crimson, and her quick start of surprise did not escape the observant lawyer. Barnes, too, looked amazed over this unexpected intelligence.
“Saint-Prosper was the marquis’ ward?” he cried.
The attorney transferred his gaze from the expressive features of his fair client to the open countenance of the manager. “Yes,” he said.