When I was at Salthouse, however, I wrote again, and this time I had a reply.

It is here.

There is a statement," she continued, "which covers many pages, and which shows exactly how my father's fortune was exaggerated, how securities have dwindled, and how my stepmother's insisting upon a very large allowance during my school-days, has eaten up so much of the residue.

There is left to me, it appears, a sum of fourteen thousand pounds.

That is a very small fortune, is it not ?" she asked calmly.
The Count was gazing at her as one might gaze upon a tragedy.
"It is not a fortune!" he exclaimed.