“Her grandparents came to me as a well-known lawyer and engaged me to undertake her cause in a lawsuit regarding a large fortune. I have been working on it for a long time, and success is in sight. The girl was being sensibly educated, and so at last it came about that I took her into the office for the convenience of us both.” Mrs. Nixon’s face was a study; but her mind was not yet relieved. “Miss Maynard is an heiress?” she asked. “There is no doubt of it now. The red tape has been all measured off, and only a few matters of form are left before she comes into her own.” Mrs. Nixon sat in silence for a time. “You know her so much better than I do, Henry,” she said at last, tentatively. “Yes,” Mr. Derwent gave a quiet exclamation. “She is an excellent piece of mechanism. Her mind is as well ordered as her toilet. Not a hair out of place.” The speaker’s manner and tone reassured his sister so far that she could give her thought to consideration of the girl in this new light, and to wondering what impression her own treatment had made upon her. Miss Maynard’s opinion would now be of importance. Mrs. Nixon was grateful that _noblesse oblige_, and that she could never be less than courteous to an inferior; a great convenience when one considers that an inferior sometimes surprises with as sudden a rise into prominence as is accomplished by a jack-in-the-box. “And your idea, Henry—” she asked again. “Was simply,” he answered, “that in her changed circumstances Helen will require the guidance of some older woman. There will be no ‘back to the farm’ for her, and I suspect that the old people will not wish to change their manner of living.” “Will she have very much?” Mr. Derwent nodded. “Enough to make me glad her head is so level.” “She must be exceedingly attached and very grateful to you,” said Mrs. Nixon, after a thoughtful pause, during which she tried to remember just how repressive her manner had been to her quiet companion. “She doesn’t need to be grateful. She pays me. Helen is not impulsive.” “You mean she has a cold nature,” returned Mrs. Nixon. “I do think, Henry, you might have told me all this when we started out on this trip.” He shook his head. “It is because of a forwarded telegram which I received here this noon that I tell you now.” Mrs. Nixon thought again. “And you would like her to live with us,” she said thoughtfully. “I only suggest it. I thought if you liked her—but Helen may have other views.” “I see,” returned Mrs. Nixon slowly, “I see.” And she rocked in her chair with reflections wherein her lost waitress was forgotten. CHAPTER XII THE FAITHFUL GEYSER WHILE this conversation was going on, Mrs. Bruce was sitting on the veranda below, waiting for Irving. He had promised to meet her in time for the next performance of the Old Faithful Geyser.