Didst ever know that thy mother once looked to have a fortune of her own, albeit a modest one ?" Cuthbert shook his head, and Martin rose from his seat and disappeared from the room for a few minutes.

When he came back he had a coffer in his hands that seemed to be heavy.

He placed it on the table, and went on with his speech as though he had not been interrupted.
"Yes.

Our father was a man of substance, and he had but three children--myself, Susan, and Bridget.

To me he willed his house, his business, and all the money locked up in that.