Evelyn is rich now;
but she had to go to New York to see the lawyer, so Mr. Claude Bainrothe
said, before she could claim the fortune."
More and more bewildered, I made haste to tear open the sealed note
which Mabel had given me. Its contents were scanty, and not fully
satisfactory.
"MY DEAR MIRIAM: The ways of Providence are truly strange and
inscrutable, and its balance ever shifting. This morning I rose in
despair, to-night I shall lie down rejoicing; for a way is again opened
to us that will put it beyond _his_ power to annoy or oppress us
further. God knows we have both suffered enough, already, at his hands!
My maiden aunt, Lady Frances Pomfret, is dead, and makes me her heir. I
will show you the lawyer's letter when I return. The legacy is spoken of
in the letter as small, because English people compute property so
differently from ourselves. The attorney lives in New York, who is
empowered by my aunt's English executor to transact this business, and
it seems I; must go to him, Mohammed-like, as this mountain cannot come
to me.
"Claude Bainrothe is polite enough to offer to escort me to the boat,
which I shall barely reach in time; so, farewell for the present, dear
Miriam. I shall stay with Emma Gilroy, and return in a very few days.
Write to me, however, if I should be detained, to her father's care, and
keep a good heart, until the return of your fortunate
"EVELYN.
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