"And so it was Paul who found him!" she said. "I am sorry for that,--sorry, I mean, that he should have taken such a part in what did not concern him, from the motive which I fear actuated him."
"He took pains to leave me in no doubt whatever about his motive," observed Marion. "I have seen him only once, and then I bade him do his worst--produce his client without loss of time. When he is produced, if he is properly identified, my dream of riches will be over; for I shall give up the estate without a contest. But I will not give it up until I am certain that I shall not be resigning it to a false claimant."
"You do not think that Paul Rathborne would be guilty of fraud?" said Helen quickly, in a pained tone; for the loyal heart was slow to resign any one for whom it had ever cherished an affection or a trust.
"You forget," said Marion, waiving the question whether or not she believed Rathborne capable of fraud, "that this man is in South America, and no one here has seen him. Mr. Rathborne has only communicated with him by letters. Now, what would be easier than for some unscrupulous man to write in George Singleton's name, if the latter were dead? Such things are of common occurrence. But it would be difficult to personate him so as to deceive the many people who have known him; and that is why I will take no step, nor even consider the matter, until _he has been produced_."
"I suppose that is best," answered Helen. "And meanwhile what are you going to do?"
"I am going to stay here, with what patience I may. How I am to live alone, I do not exactly see--for Mrs. Singleton is going away; but now that I have you again, I have taken heart. You will recommend some one to stay with me."
"I will do better than that: I will take you home with me."
"Oh, no!" said Marion, shrinking a little; "that can not be. It is like you, dear Helen, to propose it; but I do not think my aunt would like--stop! I know she would be kind, and try not to show what she felt; but I should be aware of it--aware that she has no respect for me in her heart, and I should be more ill at ease there than here. This is my home for the present; it may not be so long, and I may never have another. So let me keep it while I may. Find me some good, quiet woman--you know everyone in Scarborough--to stay with me; and come yourself whenever you can, and I shall be content."