g. He came into the room where
mother and I were, and sat down, and began to tell us about the will
just as if he were speaking to strangers about something he had read in
the newspaper--that's the only way I can describe it. Then he got up and
went away into the study. I waited a little, and then went to him there;
he was sitting at work, as if he hadn't been away from home at all. I
tried to tell him how sorry I was, but I couldn't say anything. I began
to cry foolishly. He spoke kindly to me, far more kindly than he has
done for a long time; but he wouldn't talk about the will, and I had to
go away and leave him. Poor mother! for all she was afraid that we were
going to be rich, is broken-hearted at his disappointment.'

'Your mother was afraid?' said Dora.

'Because she thought herself unfitted for life in a large house, and
feared we should think her in our way.' She smiled sadly. 'Poor mother!
she is so humble and so good. I do hope that father will be kinder to
her. But there's no telling yet what the result of this may be. I feel
guilty when I stand before him.'

'But he must feel glad that you have five thousand pounds.'

Marian delayed her reply for a moment, her eyes down.

'Yes, perhaps he is glad of that.'

'Perhaps!'

'He can't help thinking, Dora, what use he could have made of it.

It has always been his greatest wish to have a literary paper of his
own--like The Study, you know. He would have used the money in that way,
I am sure.'

'But, all the same, he ought to feel pleasure in your good fortune.'

Marian turned to another subject.

'Think of the Reardons; what a change all at once! What will they do, I
wonder? Surely they won't continue to live apart?'

'We shall hear from Jasper.'

Whilst they were discussing the affairs of that branch of the family,
Maud returned. There was ill-humour on her handsome face, and she
greeted Marian but coldly. Throwing off her hat and gloves and mantle
she listened to the repeated story of John Yule's bequests.

'But why ever has Mrs Reardon so much more than anyone else?' she asked.

'We can only suppose it is because she was the favourite child of the
brother he liked best. Yet at her wedding he gave her nothing, and spoke
contemptuously of her for marrying a literary man.'

'Fortunate for her poor husband that her uncle was able to forgive her.
I wonder what's the date of the will? Who knows but he may have rewarded
her for quarrelling with Mr R