"I have sacrificed nothing, and I have secured my future happiness by my betrothal," Lord Lancaster answered, proudly.
The old lady stared at him speechless with rage for a few seconds, then she struck her cane violently upon the floor again, and burst out with concentrated wrath:
"Then hear me, you blind, besotted fool! You think you have played me a fine trick, but I'll have my revenge, be sure of that! Not a dollar of my money shall ever go to you! I will leave it all to the next of kin. And you, Clive Lancaster, may go on earning your beggarly pittance in the army, and your wife may take in soldiers' washing, and your children starve or beg, but I will never throw you a crust to keep you from starving, nor a rag to keep you from freezing!"
An indignant retort rose to the young man's lips, but before he could speak Leonora's sweet, clear voice rang out upon the silence:
"I hope, Lady Lancaster, that neither myself, my husband, nor my children may be reduced to the dire necessity you anticipate. I shall persuade Captain Lancaster to leave the army and live at Lancaster Park. He can well afford to do so without your money, for I am as rich as you are."
"Oh, Leonora!" cried her aunt, dismayed.
"Yes, dear aunt," cried the girl, dauntlessly, "I am not the poor, dependent girl you and every one else thought me. My father made his fortune in California. He was very wealthy, and he left me his whole fortune, with the exception of a legacy to yourself that will keep you in luxury all your life."
"But why did you let us think that you were poor, my dear?" exclaimed the good soul.
Leonora laughed gayly, in spite of her enemy's angry, wondering face.