d have no desire but to do your will, to be worthy in
your eyes. I hate my life and the years that have parted me from you.
Let us talk no more of it.'

Neither spoke again for some moments; then Hubert asked coldly--

'What has been done?'

'Nothing,' replied Mrs. Eldon, in the same tone. 'Mr. Yottle has waited
for your return before communicating with the relatives in London.'

'I will go to Belwick in the morning,' he said. Then, after reflection,
'Mr. Mutimer told you that he had destroyed his will?'

'No. He had it from Mr. Yottle two days before his death, and on the day
after--the Monday--Mr. Yottle was to have come to receive instructions
for a new one. It is nowhere to be found: of course it was destroyed.'

'I suppose there is no doubt of that?' Hubert asked, with a show of
indifference.

'There can be none. Mr. Yottle tells me that a will which existed.
before Godfrey's marriage was destroyed in the same way.'

'Who is the heir?'

'A great-nephew bearing the same name. The will contained provision for
him and certain of his family. Wanley is his; the personal property will
be divided among several.'

'The people have not come forward?'

'We presume they do not even know of Mr. Mutimer's death. There has been
no direct communication between him and them for many years.'

Hubert's next question was, 'What shall you do, mother?'

'Does it interest you, Hubert? I am too feeble to move very far. I must
find a home either here in the village or at Agworth.'

He looked at her with compassion, with remorse.

'And you, my boy?' asked his mother, raising her eyes gently.

'I? Oh, the selfish never come to harm, be sure! Only the gentle and
helpless have to suffer; that is the plan of the world's ruling.'

'The world is not ruled by one who thinks our thoughts, Hubert.'

He had it on his lips to make a rejoinder, but checked the impulse.

'Say good-night to me,' his mother continued. 'You must go and rest. If
you still feel unwell in the morning, a messenger shall go to Belwick.
You are very, very pale.'

Hubert held his hand to her and bent his head. Mrs. Eldon offered her
cheek; he kissed it and went from the room.

At seven o'clock on the following morning a bell summoned a servant to
Hubert's bedroom. Though it was daylight, a lamp burned near the bed;
Hubert lay against pillows heaped high.

'Let someone go at once for Dr. Manns,' he said, appearing to speak with
difficulty. 'I wish to see