"so that is Dinsmore's niece, who was to have had his fortune, if he
could have had his way about it! I wonder what Madame Dinsmore would say
if she knew that I had taken her husband's _protégée_ as a client! It is
a burning shame that she could not have had his money, if it was his
wish--or at least a share of it. Poor little girl! after living in such
luxury all her life, to have to come down to such a humdrum existence as
sewing for a living! I will do my best for her--I will at least try to
secure Homer Forester's money to her. It's strange, too, that I should
happen to have dealings with the brilliant Mrs. Montague, also. It's a
very queer case and there is a deep scheme behind it all! I believe--"

What he might have believed remained unsaid, for the office-boy entered
at that moment and announced another client, and the astute lawyer was
obliged to turn his attention, for the time, in another direction.




CHAPTER IV.

MR. CORBIN MAKES A CALL.


On the evening of the same day that Mona visited the office of Corbin &
Russel, attorneys at law, and shortly after Mrs. Montague had finished
her lonely dinner--for her nephew was away on business--there came a
sharp ring at the door of No.--West Forty-ninth street.

Mary answered it, and, after ushering the gentleman into the
reception-room, went to her mistress to inform her that a caller