inmate of your family; and her admiration for her Aunt Elsie is so great
that, doubtless, she will yield readily to her wishes and study to be
like her in her loveliness of character and manners."

"Yes; Evelyn is a child any father might be proud of," assented Lester.
"Surely her mother cannot help being fond of her, and you would not
separate them, Eric?"

Eric looked much disturbed. For a moment he seemed lost in thought; then
said, "I cannot tell just what Laura will do; she certainly must have
some affection for our child, but not enough, I fear, to make her willing
to resign any pleasure for her sake. I think she will not care for a
settled home when I am gone, but will spend her time in flitting about
from one fashionable resort to another; and in that case Evelyn would be
only a burden and care to her: one she will probably be glad to get rid
of. I see plainly that it could be for neither your happiness nor Laura's
to attempt to live together; but perhaps you would be willing to receive
her as a guest occasionally, and for a short time?"

"Certainly," Lester said; "and to assist her pecuniarily, if necessary."

"Thank you for the generous offer," returned Eric, gratefully; "but there
will be no need to trespass upon your kindness in that way. Laura has
some money of her own, and her proportion of mine will make her very
comfortable; while the remainder will be sufficient to clothe and educate
Evelyn, and give her a moderate income afterward for the rest of her
life, if it is not lost in any way; and that she will not be robbed of it
in her minority I feel certain, having been so fortunate as to secure you
for my executor," he added, with an affectionate glance and smile.