sort of man can he be, George, to come to me now with
such a question?" And so saying, he pulled the clothes over him as
though resolved to hold no further conversation.

"He is very weak," said George. "I think you had better leave him."

A hellish expression came across the lawyer's face. "Yes," he said to
himself; "go away, that I may leave you here to reap the harvest by
yourself. Go away, and know myself to be a beggar." He had married
this man's grandchild, and yet he was to be driven from his bedside
like a stranger.

"Tell him to go," said Mr. Bertram. "He will know it all in a day or
two."

"You hear what he says," whispered George.

"I do hear," muttered the other, "and I will remember."

"He hardly thinks I would alter my will now, does he? Perhaps he has
pen and ink in his pocket, ready to do it."

"I have only spoken in anxiety about my wife," said Sir Henry; "and I
thought you would remember that she was your child's daughter."

"I do remember it. George, why doesn't he leave me?"

"Harcourt, it will be better that you should go," said Bertram; "you
can have no idea how weak my uncle is;" and he gently opened the
door.

"Good-bye, Mr. Bertram. I had not intended to disturb you." And so
saying, Sir Henry slunk away.

"You know what his will is, of course," said Sir Henry, when they
were again in the dining-room.

"I have not the slightest idea on the subject," said the other; "not
the remotest conception. He never speaks to me about it."

"Well; and now for Lady Harcourt. Where shall I find her?"

To this question George gave no answer; nor was he able to give
any. Caroline was no longer in the drawing-room. Sir Henry insisted
that he would see her, and declared his intention of staying in the
house till he did so. But Miss Baker at last persuaded him that all
his efforts would be useless. Nothing but force would induce Lady
Harcourt to meet him.

"Then force shall be used," said Sir Henry.

"At any rate not now," said George.

"What, sir! do you set yourself up as her protector? Is she base
enough to allow you to interfere between her and her husband?"

"I am her protector at the present moment, Sir Henry. What passed
between us long since has been now forgotten. But we are still
cousins; and while she wants protection, I shall give it to her."

"Oh, you will; will you?"

"Certainly. I look upon her as though she were my sister. She has no
other brother."

"That's very kind of