ently enjoy； all at once。 And then there are other chances in life far more thrilling and rapture…giving： this is solid； an affair of the actual world； nothing ideal about it： all its associations are solid and sober； and its manifestations are the same。 One does not jump； and spring； and shout hurrah！ at hearing one has got a fortune； one begins to consider responsibilities； and to ponder business； on a base of steady satisfaction rise certain grave cares； and we contain ourselves； and blood over our bliss with a solemn brow。
Besides； the words Legacy； Bequest； go side by side with the words； Death； Funeral。 My uncle I had heard was dead—my only relative； ever since being made aware of his existence； I had cherished the hope of one day seeing him： now； I never should。 And then this money came only to me： not to me and a rejoicing family； but to my isolated self。 It was a grand boon doubtless； and independence would be glorious—yes； I felt that—that thought swelled my heart。
“You unbend your forehead at last；” said Mr。 Rivers。 “I thought Medusa had looked at you； and that you were turning to stone。 Perhaps now you will ask how much you are worth？”
“How much am I worth？”
“Oh； a trifle！ Nothing of course to speak of—twenty thousand pounds； I think they say—but what is that？”
“Twenty thousand pounds？”
Here was a new stunner—I had been calculating on four or five thousand。 This news actually took my breath for a moment： Mr。 St。 John； whom I had never heard laugh before； laughed now。
“Well；” said he； “if you had mitted a murder； and I had told you your crime was discovered； you could scarcely look more aghast。”
“It is a large sum—don’t you think there is a mistake？”
“No mistake at all。”
“Perhaps you ha