“You can examine the outside, papa, if you like; but the package is not to be opened,” she said, as she reluctantly handed it to him. “Indeed! and by whose authority do you speak so emphatically?” Mr. Dalton demanded, with a sneer, as he curiously examined the bold, clear writing upon the wrapper, and wondered what secrets it contained. “By Uncle Richard’s, papa,” Editha replied, firmly, the flush growing deeper on her cheek at his sneer. He spoke oftener now to her in that way than he had ever done before, and not a day passed that he did not wound her deeply, and make her feel as if her only remaining friend was becoming alienated from her. Mr. Dalton, on his part, was very much chagrined that she should presume to act so independently. It was a great disappointment to him that he could not control her large income, which he had intended should contribute as much to his own enjoyment as to hers. Money was his god; not to hoard and keep, but for the pleasure he could get from it; and _he_ knew how to live for _that_ end as well as any one in the world. But Editha, after acquainting herself thoroughly with the details of her position as her uncle’s heiress, had again committed everything into the hands of Mr. Forrester’s lawyer, Mr. Felton saying he was to manage for her just as he had done for him, and it was better he should do so, since he understood everything, than to make any change. “By your Uncle Richard’s, eh?” repeated Mr. Dalton, as he still regarded the package belonging to Earle Wayne. “Yes, sir; the last day of his life he gave me some directions, and among other things committed these papers to my keeping until Earle’s time should expire, and charged me _under no circumstances to allow the seal to be broken_.” “Pshaw! what a fuss over a little mess of papers; and what can it matter to any one if we look inside? It is sealed with a regular seal, too. I have considerable curiosity to know what silly secret the young convict regards so sacredly.” “I do not think it is very kind, sir, to speak of Earle in that way; and, whether it is silly or not, it _is_ his secret, and no one has any right to it but himself,” Editha answered with dignity and some show of spirit. “It seems to me you are unaccountably interested, and very valiant in your defense of a convicted criminal,” retorted Mr. Dalton, considerably irritated by his daughter’s independence. “I am deeply interested in Earle Wayne, papa; he was my friend before he was so unfortunate; he is my friend still,” she bravely returned. “I suppose you even intend to take him under the shadow of your sheltering wing when he comes out of prison?” he sneered. “I shall certainly not withhold my friendship from him while he is in every way worthy to retain it; and besides——” “Besides what?” Sumner Dalton asked, with blazing eyes, as she hesitated.