There was an awkward silence when the old man concluded. Dr. Sargeant and Mr. Ashley were horror-struck at the revelation. It had been deeply humiliating to the old and respected lawyer to make this confession in the presence of these witnesses, but the time had come when the state of affairs could no longer be concealed. The property was all gone, and Miss Douglas’ death necessitated a settlement of some kind, and it would have to come out that her niece and reputed heiress was penniless. The house and everything would have to be sold to pay the outstanding debts, and she who had been cradled in the lap of luxury from her earliest infancy, must now go forth into the cold world, to buffet with its storms and bitterness alone. Brownie’s face was very grave as he concluded, and all but the lawyer were watching her anxiously, to see how she would bear the news. She began already to realize the care that had thus suddenly fallen upon her. She knew that henceforth she must work with her hands for the bread which she ate; and during the lawyer’s story she had changed from the gay and light-hearted girl to the grave and thoughtful woman. But still her first thought was for others. “I am so glad auntie did not know of this be—before she died,” she said, her lips quivering as she uttered those last words. Mr. Conrad looked up with an expression of bewilderment. “It would have made her so unhappy, you know, on my account,” Brownie explained. “What will you do with me?” he asked, wearily. “What will I do with you, Mr. Conrad? I do not think I clearly understand what you mean,” she answered, with a troubled expression on her sweet face. “You know that the law takes care of people who do as I have done. The crime of embezzlement is no light one.” “Oh, dear Mr. Conrad, do not speak so! You meant to commit no crime; you only wished to right some one else’s wrong. It was not, perhaps, just the right thing to do without auntie’s knowledge, but I can do nothing with you only——” “Only?” the lawyer asked, raising his haggard face, and eagerly reading the lovely flushed one at his side. “Only to be very, very sorry for you, my friend,” she said, softly, and with a little quivering smile. Mr. Conrad looked upon her as if she had been an angel—wonder, reverence, awe, all expressed upon his countenance. Then, with a deep groan, the strong man bowed his head and wept the bitterest tears he had ever shed in his life. He could have borne to hear the felon’s doom pronounced upon him with the face of a Stoic; but this sublime pity and forgiveness caused him to forget his manhood, and made a child of him. CHAPTER VI LOVE HAD CONQUERED PRIDE Dr. Sargeant now came forward, saying: “Miss Douglas, do you realize how serious this matter is? Have you considered what your position will be in the world henceforth?” He did not like to have the lawyer escape so easily.