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have kept from you until this day, Miss Mansard.”
    Cat's mind raced. What could the will hold of which she was not already aware? Uncle Martin and Aunt Leah looked puzzled as well.
    Mr. Bagsmith, basking in their attention, went on, “It was your grandmother's desire that if you had reached your twentieth birthday without having wed, other conditions to your inheriting would come into effect. These are outlined both in a codicil and in this letter which she wished you to read in the event you were still unmarried.” Here he paused and handed Cat a sealed letter.
    Cat sat stunned, holding the letter in her hands for several moments. Then she slowly opened it, tears starting in her eyes at the sight of the famil iar slanting handwriting:
    ****
    My dearest Cat,
    What your thoughts are today I cannot tell, but I can assure you with all my love that what I do is for your benefit. I have of ten pondered whether I did right to let you grow up so independent in thought and action, for though I know this suits your nature best, I have feared you will incur the censure of society. Also, it is clear that you may be overly content with your own company to the extent that you will not seek out acquaintanceships that will lead to marriage. I know your general opinion of the world, my dear, but let me assure you that somewhere exists a partner who will cherish you for your true worth and one whom you can cherish in return.
    Lest you miss this best part of life, I have laid down some strictures , which I hope you will not resent too much (though I can picture with some apprehension what your first reaction will be):
    First, as you are not likely to find a mate in the library at Sparrowell Hall, you will spend the Season each year in London until you are married. Yes, even until you are old and gray, although I doubt very much it will come to that.
    Second, as I know your nature as well as anyone, I require that you offer proofs to my solicitor on a regular basis that you are indeed taking part in the doings of society by attending such balls, routs and other invitations as come your way.
    Third, should you fail in regard to either of these requirements, you will be enjoined to marry whomsoever is deemed most fit by my solicitor or forfeit all claim on your in heritance, but for £1,500 per annum.
    Believe me, Catherine, that I know best and, however heartless I must now seem, wish only for your happiness. I have lived long, known both love and loneliness, and pray that you will find the former.
    All my love,
    Alice Mansard
    ****
    The others had watched with curiosity turning to concern, as Cat's expression changed from interest to petulance to shock. Once she was finished reading she rose and walked deliberately from the room without saying a word or responding in any way to their questioning looks.
    From the library , Cat proceeded directly to the grounds and soon lost herself among the paths as she wildly surveyed her new and disagreeable condition. Cat had never before thought of her grandmother in angry terms, and found she could not, even now, but railed inwardly against fate in general. She had so looked forward to the independence and liberty she had long assumed today would bring her. Now she would be more firmly controlled and faced with more serious consequences for untoward behavior than ever before. How could Gran have done such a thing?
    The very thought of spending her favorite time of year in London was depressing, to say nothing of the disagreeable company she would be forced to keep. And how could she curb her behavior enough to even be invited anyplace more than once? Then Cat saw the shrewdness of her grand mother's strictures: she must school herself in propriety, learn to control herself, and quickly adopt the manners preferred by society, or forfeit the home she loved, for she must surely refuse to wed some stranger chosen by Mr. Bagsmith! The idea of marrying at all, when she had sworn many times, and often in