Though there was still a certain obsequiousness about the lawyers manner, it was very different from that he had exhibited when dealing with General Harding. There was a vast distinction between a live General, possessed of a clear hundred thousand pounds, and a defunct colonels widow, with scarce so many pence. Still, Mrs Mainwaring was a lady of acknowledged social position, with a daughter who might at no distant day have the control of a gentleman who had a hundred thousand pounds, and who might become a profitable client of whoever chanced at the time to be her mothers solicitor. Mr Woolet was a sharp, far-seeing individual, and this forecast had not escaped him. If he showed himself more at ease in the presence of the colonels widow than he had done in that of the General, it was simply because he recognised in the lady a nature like his own less scrupulous upon points of honour or etiquette.
Have you any business with me, Mr Woolet? asked the lady, without making known the fact that she was about going on business to him.
Well, Mrs Mainwaring, scarce enough to make it worth while my calling on you at all events, interrupting your drive. What I have to say may be
of no importance but five minutes will suffice for saying it.
Take what time you please, Mr Woolet; our drive had no object a little shopping affair of my daughters, that can be disposed of at any hour. Please be seated.
The lawyer took a chair; the lady sank into a couch.
Something, I suppose, connected with the cottage? she continued in a tone of studied indifference. I think the rent is paid up to
Oh, nothing of that, interrupted the lawyer. You are too punctual in your payments, Mrs Mainwaring, to need reminding from me. I have come upon an affair that, indeed, now that I think of it, may look like interference on my part. But it is one that may be of importance, and, studying your interest as my client, I deem it my duty to interfere. I hope, if in error, you will not be offended by my apparent over-zeal.
The widow opened her eyes, once beautiful enough, but now only expressive of surprise. The manner of the attorney, his tone of confidence of an almost friendly assurance led her to look for some pleasant revelation. What could it be?
Over-zeal on your part can never be offensive, Mr Woolet at least, not to me. Please let me know what you have to communicate. Whether it concern me or not, I promise you it shall have my full consideration, and such response as I can give.
First, Mrs Mainwaring, I must ask a question that from any other might be deemed impertinent. But you have done me the honour to trust me as your legal adviser, and that must be my excuse. There is a rumour abroad indeed, I might say, something more than a rumour that your daughter is about to be to contract an alliance with one of the sons of General Harding. May I ask if this rumour has any truth in it?
Well, Mr Woolet, to you I shall answer frankly: there is some truth in it.
May I further ask which of the Generals sons is to be the fortunate, and, I may say, happy individual?
Really, Mr Woolet! But why do you want to know this?
I have a reason, madam a reason that also concerns yourself, if I am not mistaken.
In what way?
By reading this, you will learn.
A sheet of bluish foolscap, with the ink scarce dried upon it, was spread out before the eyes of the widow. It was the will of General Harding.
She coloured while reading it. With all the coolness of her Scotch blood; with all the steadiness of nerve produced by an eventful life in long accompaniment of her husband in his campaigns she could not conceal the emotion called forth by what she read upon the sheet of foolscap. It was like the echo of her own thoughts a response to the reflections that, scarce an hour before, had been not only passing through her mind, but forming the subject of her conversation.
Adroitly as woman could and Mrs Mainwaring was not the most simple of her sex she endeavoured to make light of the knowledge thus communicated. She was only sorry that General Harding should so far forget his duties as a parent, to make such a distinction between his two sons. Both were equally of his own blood; and, though the younger might have been of better behaviour, still he was the younger, and time might cure him of those habits which appeared to have given offence to his father. For herself, Mrs Mainwaring was very sorry indeed; and, although it did not so essentially concern her, she could not do otherwise than thank Mr Woolet for his disinterested kindness in letting her know the terms of this strange testament. In fine, she would always feel grateful to him for what he had done.
The last clause of her speech was delivered in a tone not to be misunderstood by such an astute listener as Mr Woolet; and at its conclusion he folded up the will, and prepared to take his departure. To repeat excuses, and say that he had only done what he deemed his duty, were empty words, and were so understood by both.