"Yes; quite so," said the Colonel; "quite so. In this case the matter is different." "Has she already made a will in their favour?" inquired Mrs Fortescue. "I don't know anything whatever with regard to Lady Marian's intentions," said the Colonel, speaking less affably and flashing his eyes sternly at the widow. "The fact is this--you will be as surprised as Susie and I were and, I hope and trust, for the sake of your better nature--as glad. Brenda and Florence Heathcote have no need to earn their bread." "No need? Oh!" said Mrs Fortescue. "But I was told they were penniless." "You received a letter from Mr Timmins in which he informed you that the money their father had left for their education was practically exhausted, and that your services would not be required after their winter vacation." "I was given to understand that they were penniless girls. What do you mean?" said Mrs Fortescue. "You will be glad to hear that they are very far from penniless. Their mother has left them a large fortune which they will come into as soon as they attain their majority. Meanwhile, Lady Marian Dixie is appointed their guardian. She wishes them to continue their education, and they are going to Girton for the purpose. It is good news--yes, it is very good news. Florence and Brenda will, I make no doubt, be fitted to bear the awful responsibility of wealth." "But--but," said Mrs Fortescue, almost blue with rage; "how can you justify--" "I justify nothing, my dear madam; I simply state a fact; you are welcome to tell it to whom you please. As far as I can make out, the girls were not told anything absolutely untrue. As far as their father's money was concerned, they were penniless. There was no mention made of their mother's fortune. It was, I gathered, a test to discover who were their true friends. Rich young girls are often surrounded by those who simply prey on them for the sake of what they can get. Susie, don't you think we had better come out while the sun shines? You won't think me rude, Mrs Fortescue, if I ask you to call at some future date." "Oh no; I won't think you rude," said Mrs Fortescue. "I--I am astonished--stunned--" But she spoke to empty air, for Susie and her father had left the room. "They did not even show me out!" thought the furious widow. "Langdale won't see _me_ long!"