"My clever little darling! And what did you hear?"
"You never could guess! O my goodness," cried Cherrie, clasping her hands, "won't Miss Natty be in a passion, when she finds it out."
"Will she, though? Let us hear it, Cherrie."
"Well," said Cherrie, "you know Miss Natty was to be heiress of Redmon, and have all Lady Leroy's money when she dies?"
"Yes! well?"
"Well, she isn't to be any longer! Lady Leroy made a new will this afternoon, and Miss Natty is disinherited!"
Captain Cavendish started with something like an oath.
"Cherrie! are you sure of this?"
"Certain sure!" said Cherrie, with a look and tone there was no doubting. "I heard every word of it—her telling him so first, and him reading the will afterward and father and Midge signed it!"
"The—devil!" said Captain Cavendish between his teeth; "but what put such a freak in the old hag's head?"