When Mr. Prince returned an hour later, he found Carry sitting on a low stool at Mrs. Starbottle’s feet.  Her head was in her stepmother’s lap, and she had sobbed herself to sleep.  Mrs. Starbottle put her finger to her lip.  “I told you she would come.  God bless you, Jack! and good night.”

The next morning Mrs. Tretherick, indignant, the Rev. Asa Crammer, principal, injured, and Mr. Joel Robinson, Sr., complacently respectable, called upon Mr. Prince.  There was a stormy meeting, ending in a demand for Carry.  “We certainly cannot admit of this interference,” said Mrs. Tretherick, a fashionably dressed, indistinctive-looking woman.  “It is several days before the expiration of our agreement; and we do not feel, under the circumstances, justified in releasing Mrs. Starbottle from its conditions.”  “Until the expiration of the school term, we must consider Miss Tretherick as complying entirely with its rules and discipline,” imposed Dr. Crammer.  “The whole proceeding is calculated to injure the prospects, and compromise the position, of Miss Tretherick in society,” suggested Mr. Robinson.

In vain Mr. Prince urged the failing condition of Mrs. Starbottle, her absolute freedom from complicity with Carry’s flight, the pardonable and natural instincts of the girl, and his own assurance that they were willing to abide by her decision.  And then, with a rising color in his cheek, a dangerous look in his eye, but a singular calmness in his speech, he added: 

“One word more.  It becomes my duty to inform you of a circumstance which would certainly justify me, as an executor of the late Mr. Tretherick, in fully resisting your demands.  A few months after Mr. Tretherick’s death, through the agency of a Chinaman in his employment, it was discovered that he had made a will, which was subsequently found among his papers.  The insignificant value of his bequest—­mostly land, then quite valueless—­prevented his executors from carrying out his wishes, or from even proving the will, or making it otherwise publicly known, until within the last two or three years, when the property had enormously increased in value.  The provisions of that bequest are simple, but unmistakable.  The property is divided between Carry and her stepmother, with the explicit condition that Mrs. Starbottle shall become her legal guardian, provide for her education, and in all details stand to her in Loco PARENTIS.”

“What is the value of this bequest?” asked Mr. Robinson.  “I cannot tell exactly, but not far from half a million, I should say,” returned Prince.  “Certainly, with this knowledge, as a friend of Miss Tretherick I must say that her conduct is as judicious as it is honorable to her,” responded Mr. Robinson.  “I shall not presume to question the wishes, or throw any obstacles in the way of carrying out the intentions, of my dead husband,” added Mrs. Tretherick; and the interview was closed.

When its result was made known to Mrs. Starbottle, she raised Jack’s hand to her feverish lips.  “It cannot add to my happiness now, Jack; but tell me, why did you keep it from her?” Jack smiled, but did not reply.