“Then,” she said, “the Casa d’Erraha never belonged to my father?”

“Never”--with a grave bow.

“And I have nothing--nothing at all! I am penniless?”

The lawyer looked from her to Fitz, who was standing beside her listening to the conversation, but not offering to take part in it.

“Unless your excellency has private means--in England, perhaps.”

“I do not know--I know nothing. And we must leave the Casa d’Erraha. When, señor? Tell me when.”

The lawyer avoided her distressed eyes.

“Well,” he said slowly, “the law is rather summary. I--your excellency understands I only do my duty. I am not the principal. I have no authority whatever--except the law.”

“You mean that I must go at once?”

The lawyer’s parchment face was generously expressive of grief now.