As her father drew that picture of the future, the outburst of
Magdalen's gratitude could no longer be restrained. She was deeply
touched--she spoke from her inmost heart. Mr. Vanstone waited until his
daughter and his wife were composed again; and then added the last words
of explanation which were now left for him to speak.
"You understand, my love," he said, "that I am not anticipating Frank's
living in idleness on his wife's means? My plan for him is that he
should still profit by the interest which his present employers take
in him. Their knowledge of affairs in the City will soon place a good
partnership at his disposal, and you will give him the money to buy it
out of hand. I shall limit the sum, my dear, to half your fortune; and
the other half I shall have settled upon yourself. We shall all be alive
and hearty, I hope"--he looked tenderly at his wife as he said those
words--"all alive and hearty at the year's end. But if I am gone,
Magdalen, it will make no difference. My will--made long before I ever
thought of having a son-in-law divides my fortune into two equal parts.
One part goes to your mother; and the other part is fairly divided
between my children.
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