She smiled up at him gratefully.

"Oh, no, and you are very kind. It--it is only a business trouble," she
said, a vivid flush dyeing her fair cheek; "but being a woman, perhaps I
cannot meet it with quite the fortitude of a man."

"Can I help you in any way?" the gentleman asked, eagerly. "Come into the
little reception-parlor yonder--there is no one there--and confide in me,
if you will honor me so far."

The fair widow took the arm he offered her, and he led her within the
room, and shut the door.

"Sit here," he said, placing a comfortable rocker for her, then he sat
opposite her, and waited for her to open her heart to him.

"You know," she began, falteringly, "that I have lost my husband; he died
several months ago, and there has been some trouble about the settlement
of his estate.

"His relatives contested the will, but my lawyer has always assured me
that he could at least secure a handsome amount for me, even if he could
not win the whole. But the first of this week, I learned that I am to
have almost nothing--that there was not nearly as much as at first
supposed, and Mr. Bently's relatives will get that: and so--I am
penniless."

"Oh, not so badly off as that, I hope!" exclaimed Mr. Cutler, looking
grave.