the widows of such
fishmongers as had died in want. Now Mr. Bertram had been a member of
the Honourable Company of Fishmongers.

And that was the end of the will. And Mr. Stickatit, having completed
the reading, folded it up, and put it back into the envelope. Sir
Henry, the moment the reading was over, again dashed his fist upon
the table. "As heir-at-law," said he, "I shall oppose that document."

"I think you'll find it all correct," said Mr. Stickatit, with a
little smile.

"And I think otherwise, sir," said the late solicitor-general, in a
voice that made them all start. "Very much otherwise. That document
is not worth the paper on which it is written. And now, I warn you
two, who have been named as executors, that such is the fact."

Sir Lionel began to consider whether it would be better for him that
the will should be a will, or should not be a will. Till he had done
so, he could not determine with which party he would side. If that
were no will, there might be a previous one; and if so, Bertram
might, according to that, be the heir. "It is a very singular
document," said he; "very singular."

But Sir Henry wanted no allies--wanted no one in that room to side
with him. Hostility to them all was his present desire; to them
and to one other--that other one who had brought upon him all this
misfortune; that wife of his bosom, who had betrayed his interests
and shattered his hopes.

"I believe there is nothing further to detain us at the present
moment," said Mr. Stickatit. "Mr. Bertram, perhaps you can allow me
to speak to you somewhere for five minutes?"

"I shall act," said George.

"Oh, of course. That's of course," said Stickatit. "And I also."

"Stop one moment, gentlemen," shouted Harcourt again. "I hereby give
you both warning that you have no power to act."

"Perhaps, sir," suggested Stickatit, "your lawyer will take any steps
he may think necessary?"

"My lawyer, sir, will do as I bid him, and will require no suggestion
from you. And now I have another matter to treat of. Mr. Bertram,
where is Lady Harcourt?"

Bertram did not answer at once, but stood with his back still against
the chimney-piece, thinking what answer he would give.

"Where, I say, is Lady Harcourt? Let us have no juggling, if you
please. You will find that I am in earnest."

"I am not Lady Harcourt's keeper," said George, in a very low tone of
voice.

"No, by G----! Nor shall you be. Where is she? If you do not answer