Mr. Norris blew his nose, cleared his throat, put on his spectacles, opened the will and proceeded to read it.

The testament may be briefly summed up as follows: 

First there were handsome legacies left to each of the old servants.  One full half of the testator’s vast estate was left to his elder son, Fabian; one quarter to his younger son, Clarence; and one quarter to be divided equally between his grandson, Sylvan Haught, and his granddaughter, Corona Rothsay.

Fabian was appointed sole executor.

The lawyer folded up the document and handed it to Fabian Rockharrt.

“Clarence, old boy, I hardly think this is altogether fair to you,” said Fabian, good naturedly, and ready to deceive him into the delusion that he had not schemed for this unequal division of the enormous wealth.

“It is all right, Fabian.  Altogether right.  You are the eldest son, and now the head of the firm, and you have ten times over the business brains that I have.  I am perfectly satisfied, and even if I were not, I would not dream of criticising my father’s will,” replied Clarence, with perfect good humor and sincerity.

The legacies were promptly paid by Fabian Rockharrt.  Mr. Clarence decided to remain as his brother’s junior partner in the firm that was henceforth to be known as “Aaron Rockharrt’s Sons,” and to leave all his share of the money invested in the works.

When Corona was asked when and how she would receive her own, she also declared that she would leave it for the present where it was invested in the works, and the firm might pay her legal interest for its use, or make her a small silent partner in the business.  Sylvan had yet to be consulted in regard to the disposal of his capital.

The month of October was in its third week.  It was high time for Corona to go to Washington and make the acquaintance of the Nevilles, if she wished to go to travel west under their protection.  She had several times spoken of this purpose in the presence of Violet, so as to accustom that emotional young woman to the idea of their separation.  But Violet, absorbed in her grief for the dead, paid but little attention to Corona’s casual remarks.

At the end of a few days Fabian Rockharrt began to talk about going back to Violet Banks, and invited Corona to accompany his wife and himself to their, pleasant country home.

It was then that Corona spoke decisively.  She thanked him for his invitation and reminded him of her unalterable resolution to go out to Fort Farthermost to join her brother.

When Fabian Rockharrt tried to combat her determination, she informed him that she had during the funeral week received a joint letter from Captain and Mrs. Neville, inviting her to join their party to the frontier.  This letter had been written at the suggestion of the colonel of Captain Neville’s regiment, and had not been mentioned or even answered until after the funeral.  She said that she had accepted this kind invitation, and had forwarded all her baggage, which had been so long stored at North End, to Washington to wait her arrival in that city.