It lay in unopened official envelopes, piled one upon another, quarterly remittances, horrible as blood of slaughter in her sight.

Count Serabiglione made a point of counting the packets always within the first five minutes of a visit to his daughter.

He said nothing, but was careful to see to the proper working of the lock of the cupboard where the precious deposits were kept, and sometimes in forgetfulness he carried off the key.

When his daughter reclaimed it, she observed, 'Pray believe me quite as anxious as yourself to preserve these documents.' And the count answered, 'They represent the estates, and are of legal value, though the amount is small.

They represent your protest, and the admission of your claim.