h yes, we were speaking of
Miss Bride. Naturally, that interests you. An odd bequest, isn't it?
She is spoken of as a trustee, but evidently the disposal of the money
is quite at her own discretion. If I remember, there are words to the
effect that Lady Ogram wishes Miss Bride to use this money just as she
herself would have done, for the purposes in which they were both
particularly interested. By the bye, it isn't money only; Miss Bride
becomes owner of the paper-mill at the village by Rivenoak."

"I had heard of this," said Lashmar, with a brusque movement as though
he felt cramp in his leg. He had begun to look cheerful. "I knew all
about Lady Ogram's intentions. You don't remember," he added
carelessly, "the amount of the bequest?"

"Mr. Kerchever tells me it represents about seventy thousand pounds."

Lashmar involuntarily heaved a sigh. Mrs. Toplady watched him over the
rim of her teacup, the hand which held it shaking a little with subdued
mirth.

"As you say," he observed, "it's a most remarkable will. But it seems
rather too bad that the poor lady's real wishes should be totally
neglected."

"Indeed it does. I have been wondering what Miss Bride will think about
it. Of course I couldn't speak to her on the subject. One almost feels
as if she ought at all events to give half that money to Miss Tomalin,
considering the terms on which she receives it."

"But," objected Dyce, "that wouldn't be fulfilling the conditions of
the bequest, which, I happen to know, were very specific. Really, it's
a most unfortunate thing that Lady Ogram died so suddenly, most
unfortunate. What a serious injustice is done to that poor girl!"

"After all, Mr. Lashmar," fell sweetly from the other's lips, "her
position might be worse."

"How? Has she an income of her own?"

"Oh, a trifling annuity, not worth mentioning. But I didn't speak of
that. I meant that, happily, her future is in the hands of an
honourable man. It would have been sad indeed if she had owed this
calamity to the intrigues of a mere fortune-hunter. As it is, a girl of
her spirit and intelligence will very soon forget the disappointment.
Indeed, it is much more on another's account than on her own that she
grieves over what has happened."

Lashmar was perusing the floor. Slowly he raised his eyes, until they
met Mrs. Toplady's. The two looked steadily at each other.

"Are you speaking of me?" Dyce inquired, in a low voice.

"Of whom else could I be speak