"Very well, I wash my hands of the whole affair; poor dear Mr. Farnham
was very anxious about this pretty little Isabel. I don't choose to
ask why, Judge, I hope I've got pride enough not to stoop so low as
that; but, as I was saying, he made a point of it, and you see how
resolute I am to perform my duty. It's hard, but I've had to endure a
great deal, indeed I have."

"I did hope--in fact, I had reason," said the Judge, "to believe that
Mr. Farnham would have provided for that child by will."

Mrs. Farnham colored violently.

"Then you had a reason. He said something to you about it, perhaps?"

"Yes, he certainly did; but then his death at last was so sudden. I
don't remember when anything has shocked me so much."

Mrs. Farnham lifted her handkerchief to her eyes; there was something
very pathetic in the action, and the deep black border which was
intended to impress the Judge with a sense of her combined martyrdom
and widowhood.

"Well madam," said that gentleman, heartily weary of her airs, "I hope
Fred has your consent to adopt this child. Remember the expense will
be nothing compared to the great wealth which he inherits. My word for
it, the young fellow will find much worse methods of spending his
money if you thwart his generous impulses."

"I have nothing to say. It is my destiny to make sacrifices; of
course, if my son chooses to incumber himself with a miserable thing