“Certainly, Ellen; since you desire it, I will explain with pleasure. We left your house last October, as you doubtless will remember, and took up our abode in New York city. Star entered the Normal College at once, and by assiduous application to her studies, succeeded in completing the course, and graduated in June, since when we have been trying to get all the enjoyment out of life that we could. You have heard rightly, Ellen; she did write that popular little book, ‘Chatsworth’s Pride,’ and it is a source of pride to me that I have the honor of introducing in society its popular author as my ward and heiress——” “Your _heiress_!” Mrs. Richards cried, growing pale. “Yes; Miss Gladstone is named as such in my will, which is now in the hands of my lawyer,” the old gentleman replied, quietly. His niece looked from one to the other in blank dismay. She had feared she should hear something of the kind, but it was none the less a shock to her when it came. “Your heiress—heiress to _what_?” she demanded, sharply. “To the whole of my fortune, madam.” “Your fortune!” she sneered, but her voice was hoarse from passion and baffled hopes. “A year ago it was—_beggary_!” Mr. Rosevelt smiled serenely. “_Apparently_, yes,” he answered. “But I was _then_, what I am _now_—a millionaire. The mistake of your life-time was made then, Ellen; for if you had cordially received the feeble old man who came to your house in such a forlorn condition; if you had given him kindness and sympathy, such as you were wont to do when he was rich and prosperous; if you had shown him something of love and tenderness, instead of coldness and contempt, making him feel that he was a burden and an intruder, _you_ would have had the bulk of my fortune, for your brother had already forfeited his share. I thought that my final return to this country would give me a good opportunity to test your and Henry’s sincerity, and I resolved to do so. I went to him as a poor man; I was received coldly, and made as uncomfortable as it was possible for any one to be made. Then I said to myself, ‘Ellen’s womanly heart will prompt her to be kind to me, if not for my own sake, for her father’s,’ and so I came to you also in the guise of poverty.” “It was mean—it was dishonorable to take advantage of me in that way,” Mrs. Richards said, with white, quivering lips.