"I must live and die in some such hovel as this."
"My luck has changed," said Walter, quietly; "but in a different way."
"How?" she asked, betraying in her tone some curiosity.
"A year ago—six months ago—my father was a rich man, or was considered so. He was thought to be worth over a hundred thousand dollars. All at once his property was swept away, and now I am obliged to earn my own living, as you see."
"Is that true?" she asked.
"Yes, it is true."
"How did your father lose his money?"
"By speculating in mines."
"The more fool he!"
"My father is dead," said Walter, gravely. "I cannot bear to hear him blamed."