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 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.

“Pray do not hasten,” Mrs. Montague smilingly remarked.

She happened to have no engagement for the evening, and, being alone, was glad of even the companionship of a prosy attorney.

“Thank you,” Mr. Corbin politely returned; “but I have other matters on hand which ought to be attended to.”

“Surely you do not work evenings as well as during the day?” Mrs. Montague observed, with some surprise.

“Not always; but just now I seem to have some very knotty cases on hand—­one, in particular, seems to baffle all my skill with its mystery.  Indeed, it bids fair to develop quite a romance.”

“Indeed! you pique my curiosity, and we women are dear lovers of romance in real life, you know,” said the charming widow, with an arch smile.  “Would it be betraying confidence to tell me a little about it?” she added, persuasively.