was waiting below.

"Erastus Corbin," Mrs. Montague read, as she took the neat card from the
salver, and her face lighted with sudden interest.

"Perhaps he has sold that property for me," she murmured. "I hope so, for
I wish to turn all my real estate into money, if possible, before my
marriage."

She made some slight change in her costume, for she never allowed herself
to go into the presence of gentlemen without looking her best, and then
hastened below.

She greeted the lawyer with great cordiality, and remarked, smilingly:

"I hope you have good news for me. Is that property sold yet?"

"I cannot say that it is sold, madame," Mr. Corbin returned; "but I have
had an offer for it, which, if you see fit to accept, will settle the
matter very shortly."

"Tell me about it," said the lady, eagerly.

Mr. Corbin made a statement from a memorandum which he drew from his
pocket, upon the conclusion of which Mrs. Montague authorized him to sell
immediately, saying that she wished to dispose of all her real estate,
even if she had to sacrifice something in doing so, remarking that a bank
account was far less trouble than such property; and, having discussed
and decided some other points, the lawyer arose as if to take his leave.