"How do you make that out, mother?"
"Listen, and keep secret what I tell you. Next week I become his father's wife."
"You marry Jasper Kent's father!"
"Yes; I shall be Jasper's step-mother."
"Is old Kent rich?" asked Nicholas, eagerly.
His mother nodded.
"Yes, he is rich; that is, for the country. He is in poor health, too," she added, significantly.
"Good!" said Nicholas, with satisfaction. "You know how to play your cards, mother."
The mother smiled.
"My days of dependence are drawing to an end," she said. "Some time I can do better for you than I am doing now."