Brownie bowed. She could not speak, for the tears were choking her so.
What was wealth to her in her lonely condition.
She knew everything was willed to her, for Miss Mehetabel had told her so, but her generous little heart recoiled from having so much, when there was no one but herself on whom to lavish it.
Mr. Ashley retired to a seat, and signified to Mr. Conrad, the lawyer, that they were ready to listen.
He took up the legal-looking document from the table, near which he was sitting, and began to read.
Everything, as she had expected, was given to Brownie, excepting a legacy of five hundred dollars to each of the trusty servants, who had been with her so many years.
All the plate, the house, with its elegant furnishings, the stable, with its fine horses and carriages, were hers, and she privileged to choose whom she liked to manage her affairs in the future.
There was a long silence after the lawyer ceased reading.
Brownie sat listless, and gazing absently out of the window, and feeling so strange and lonely, as if some great burden had suddenly fallen upon her.
“Ahem! ah—Miss Douglas—will you kindly give me your attention for a few moments?” asked Mr. Conrad, breaking in upon her reverie, and speaking with great embarrassment.