Nothing unpleasant, I hope, has happened?'
'No, nothing unpleasant, Miss. The will has been lodged, and we shall have
probate in due course; but there has been something on my mind, and I'm
come to ask you two or three questions which you had better answer very
considerately. Is Miss Knollys still here?'
'Yes, but she is not returned from her walk.'
'I am glad she is here. I think she takes a sound view, and women
understand one another better. As for me, it is plainly my duty to put it
before you as it strikes me, and to offer all I can do in accomplishing,
should you wish it, a different arrangement. You don't know your uncle, you
said the other day?'
'No, I've never seen him.'
'You understand your late father's intention in making you his ward?'
'I suppose he wished to show his high opinion of my uncle's fitness for
such a trust.'
'That's quite true; but the nature of the trust in this instance is
extraordinary.'
'I don't understand.'
'Why, if you die before you come to the age of twenty-one, the entire of
the property will go to him--do you see?--and he has the custody of your
person in the meantime; you are to live in his house, under his care and
authority.
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