It was in a strange state of mind that he
returned to the Close; one thing only he was clear upon, that to
Clem and her mother he would breathe no word of what had been told
him. After a night passed without a wink of sleep, struggling with
the amazement, the incredulity, the confusion of understanding
caused by his father's words, he betook himself to a familiar
public-house, and there penned a note to Scawthorne, requesting an
interview as soon as possible. The meeting took place that evening
at the retreat behind Lincoln's Inn Fields where the two had held
colloquies on several occasions during the last half-year.
Scawthorne received with gravity what his acquaintance had to
communicate. Then he observed:
'The will was executed ten days ago.'
'It was? And what's he left me?'
'Seven thousand pounds--less legacy duty.'
'And thirty thousand to Jane?'
'Just so.'
Joseph drew in his breath; his teeth ground together for a moment;
his eyes grew very wide. With a smile Scawthorne proceeded to
explain that Jane's trustees were Mr. Percival, senior, and his son.
Should she die unmarried before attaining her twenty-first birthday,
the money bequeathed to her was to be distributed among certain
charities.
Pages:
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395