It is true he laughs at the thing himself, and considers it a good joke." "And so it is," replied her son; "but what about the lady, his niece ?" "Why, she is a rather interesting person." "Ahem! person!" "Yes, about thirty-four or so; but she will inherit his property." "And have you any notion of what that may amount to ?" asked her calculating son.
"I could not exactly say," she replied; "but I believe it is handsome.
A great deal of it is mountain, but they say there are large portions of it capable of being reclaimed." "But how can the estate go to her ?" "Simply because there is no other heir," replied his mother; "they are the last of the family.

It is not entailed." "Thirty-four!" ruminated Woodward.

"Well, I have seen very fine girls at thirty-four; but in personal appearance and manner what is she like ?" "Why, perhaps a critical eye might not call her handsome; but the general opinion on that point is in her favor.

Her manners are agreeable, so are her features; but it is said that she is fastidious in her lovers, and has rejected many.

It is true most of them were fortune-hunters, and deserved no better success." "But what do you call me, mother ?" "Surely not a fortune-hunter, Harry.