You spoke in the past tense, however, so I suppose the
lady is not living."
"No, sir; she died at the time of my birth," Mona answered, sadly.
"Ah! that was very unfortunate for you," Mr. Corbin remarked, in a tone
of sympathy. "You gave your name as Mona Montague, so, of course, Miss
Forester must have married a gentleman by that name. May I ask--ah--is
he living?"
"No, sir, he is not."
"Will you kindly give me his whole name?" Mr. Corbin now asked, while his
eyes had a gleam of intense interest within their dark depths.
"Richmond Montague."
Again the lawyer started, and a look of astonishment passed over his
features.
"Where have you lived, Miss Montague, since the death of your parents?"
he inquired.
"Here in New York, with my uncle."
"Ah! and who was your uncle, if you please?" and the man seemed to await
her reply with almost breathless interest.
"Mr. Dinsmore--Walter Dinsmore."
The lawyer sat suddenly erect, and drew in a long breath, while his keen
eyes seemed to be trying to read the girl's very soul.
He did not speak for nearly a minute; then he said, with his usual
composure:
"So, then, you are the niece of Walter Dinsmore, Esq., who died recently,
and whose property was claimed by a--a wife who had lived separate from
him for a good many years.
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