Wickham."

Mrs. Wickham drew her breath sharply. Once more she looked at her late
aunt's companion, but nothing was to be read in that calm face. She was
a designing minx, none the less. But she did yield her a grudging
admiration, for her self-control in the shipwreck of all her hopes. Now
they could have their car. Oh, what couldn't they have! She felt she had
earned every penny of it in that last dreadful half hour.

"And Miss Marsh?" she heard her husband ask.

"Miss Marsh is not mentioned."

Somehow, Nora managed a smile. "I could hardly expect to be. At the time
that will was drawn I had been Miss Wickham's companion for only a few
months."

"That is why I asked whether you knew of any later will," said Mr. Wynne
almost sadly. "When I talked to Miss Wickham on the subject she said her
wish was to make adequate provision for you after her death. I think she
had spoken to you about it."

"Yes, she had."

"She mentioned three hundred a year."

"That was very kind of her." Nora's voice broke a little. "I'm glad she
wished to do something for me."

"Oddly enough," continued the solicitor, "she spoke about it to Dr.
Evans only a few days before she died."

"Perhaps there is a later will somewhere," said Wickham.

"I honestly don't think so."

"Oh, I'm sure there isn't," affirmed Nora.

"Dr. Evans was talking to Miss Wickham about Miss Marsh. She was
completely tired out and he wanted Miss Wickham to have a professional
nurse. She told him then that I _had_ the will and that she had left
Miss Marsh amply provided for."

"That isn't legal, of course," said Mrs. Wickham decidedly.

"What isn't?"

"I mean no one could force us--I mean the will stands as it is, doesn't
it?"

"Certainly it does."

"I'm afraid it's a great disappointment to you, Miss Marsh," Wickham
said, not unkindly.

"I never count my chickens before they're hatched." This time Nora
smiled easily and naturally. The worst was over now.

"It would be very natural if Miss Marsh were disappointed in the
circumstances. I think she'd been led to expect----" Mr. Wynne's voice
was almost pleading.

Mrs. Wickham detected a certain disapproval in the tone. She hastened to
justify herself. He might still be useful. When the estate was once
settled, they would of course put everything in the hands of their
London solicitor. But it would be better not to antagonize him for the
moment.

"Our aunt left a very small fortune, I understand, an