“And that, you are aware, cannot be done, except though a process of law. She must sue for a separate maintenance. Even in such a case I doubt whether the court would adjudge her the _whole_ of this enormous fortune, or even the half of it. Still it is her only resource,” answered Lawyer Kent. “A resource she will never resort to. It would be vain and worse than vain to suggest it to her. She worships her husband; and it is through no fault of hers that they are estranged. Indeed it was through consideration for him that she was so reticent last year, as to raise suspicions in your mind that her claim to the estate was an unjustly assumed one.... No, Mr. Kent, we must take some other course to secure the inheritance to her, and without saying a word to her on the subject either.” “There is no other way, sir, but by such a suit as I have suggested.” “Pardon me I think there is. Mr. Alexander Lyon has deserted his wife and child and failed to provide for them. Such is not the course of an honorable man. Still, as some of the same sort of blood that warms my own old heart runs also in his veins, there must be some little sense of honor sleeping somewhere in his system. We must awaken it and appeal to it. He must of his own free will make over all his right, title and interest in this inheritance to his injured young wife.” “Does he know of this inheritance, sir?” “Not one word, I think.” “Do you believe that he will act as you wish?” “I have not the least doubt of it. Without this fortune of his wife, he is as rich as Crœsus; and he is also as proud as Lucifer. Having discarded her, he would not touch a penny of her money, if it was to save his own life or hers. So it is not because I think he would waste, or even use her means, that I wish her fortune settled upon herself, but because I wish her to be totally independent of him and to be able to do her own will with her own money.” “I see,” said Mr. Kent. “Where is Mr. Alexander Lyon now?” “In Washington City, where I would like you to call upon and apprise him of this large inheritance and of our wishes in regard to it.” “I will do so with pleasure. Pray give me your instructions at large, and also a letter of introduction to Mr. Lyon.” “I had almost sworn never to hold any communication with that man again. But for his wife’s dear sake I will write the letter. And now Mr. Kent, there is our first dinner-bell. Allow me to ring for a servant, who will show you to a chamber prepared for you. I will await you here and take you to the dining-room.” The dust-covered lawyer bowed his thanks and followed the servant who was called to attend him. At dinner that day, the lawyer, for the first time met his beautiful client, Mrs. Alexander Lyon. And with all his experience of mankind, great was his wonder that any man in his sober senses could have abandoned such a lovely young creature.