"Last year! How happens it, then, that we did not know of it before?"
"Because there has been a wicked scheme to defraud you of the inheritance. Ben, come here."
Ben entered, and the story was soon told. Of course it need not be repeated.
"Now, Miss Beaufort, if you insist on taking pupils, I will do what I can to procure you some," said the lawyer.
"If I take them it will be without compensation," answered Rose, smiling. "Can you tell me how soon we may expect to come into our property? I ask, because we are near the end of our money."
"It will take perhaps two months to obtain legal proof of Philip's death, but that will not inconvenience you. I will advance you whatever money you require in the meantime."
"You are very kind. If you could let me have twenty dollars——"
"You are very modest," said the lawyer, smiling. "Suppose we say two hundred?"
"Two hundred!" ejaculated Rose.