At the same time he had been privily
informed by Scawthorne of an event which had ever since kept him
very uneasy--Michael's withdrawal of his will from the hands of
the solicitors. With what purpose this had been done Scawthorne
could not conjecture; Mr. Percival had made no comment in hi.
hearing. In all likelihood the will was now in this very room.
Joseph surveyed every object again and again. He wondered whether
Jane knew anything of the matter, but not all his cynicism could
persuade him that at the present time her thoughts were taking the
same direction as his own.
The day waned. Its sombre close was unspeakably mournful in this
haunted chamber. Jane could not bear it; she hid her face and wept.
When the doctor came again, at six o'clock, he whispered to Joseph
that the end was nearer than he had anticipated. Near, indeed; less
than ten minutes after the warning had been given Michael ceased to
breathe.
Jane knelt by the bed, convulsed with grief, unable to hear the
words her father addressed to her. He sat for five minutes, then
again spoke. She rose and replied.
'Will you come with us, Jane, or would rather stay with Mrs.
Pages:
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631
632
633