I would rather see
you Paul's wife, and under his protection, but this arrangement will
secure your safety. You see, until you have a legal name I cannot make
you my heir, or even leave you a dollar."
"Do you mean that you want to make me your heir?" exclaimed Ida.
"Of course," said Miss Ludington. "What else could I think of doing? Even
if you had married Paul, do you suppose I would have wished to have you
dependent on him? I should then have left you a fortune under the name of
Mrs. De Riemer. As it is, I shall leave it to my adopted daughter, Ida
Ludington. That is the only difference."
"But, Paul?"
"Don't fret about Paul," replied Miss Ludington. "I shall not neglect
him. I have a great deal of money, and am able to provide abundantly for
you both."
"Oh, do not do this thing! I beg you will not," cried Ida, seizing Miss
Ludington's hands, and looking into her face with an almost frenzied
expression of appeal. "I do not want your money. Don't give it to me. I
can't bear to have you. You have given me so much, and you are so good to
me!--and that I should rob Paul, too! Oh, no I you must not do it; I will
never let you.
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