Marian's indifference, and was none the less anxious to watch over
her interests because she seemed to set so little value on his
friendship.

He told Mr. Medler who he was, and the promise he had given to Jacob
Nowell, abstaining, of course, from any reference to the position he had
once occupied towards Marian. He described himself as her friend only--a
friend of long standing, who had been intimate with her adopted guardian.

"I know how ignorant Mrs. Holbrook is of the world and of all business
matters," he went on to say, "and I am naturally anxious that her
interests should be protected."

"I should think there was very little doubt that her husband will see
after those," the lawyer answered, with something of a sneer; "husbands
are generally supposed to do that, especially where there is money at
stake."

"I do not know Mr. Holbrook; and he has kept himself in the background so
persistently up to this point, and has been altogether so underhanded in
his proceedings, that I have by no means a good opinion of him. Mr.
Nowell told me that he intended to leave his money to his granddaughter
in such a manner, that it would be hers and hers only--free from the
control of any husband. He has done so, I presume?"

"Yes," Mr. Medler replied, with the air of a man who would fain have
withheld the information; "he has left it for her own separate use and
maintenance."

"And it is a property of some importance, I conclude?"

"Of some importance--yes," the lawyer answered, in the same tone.

"Ought not Mrs. Holbrook to have remained to hear the reading of the
will?"

"Well, yes, decidedly; it would have been more in the usual way of
things; but her absence can have no ill effect upon her interests. Of
course it will be my duty to make her acquainted with the contents of the
will."

Gilbert Fenton was not prepossessed by Mr. Medler's countenance, which
was not an open candid index to a spotless soul, nor by his surroundings,
which were of the shabbiest; but the business being in this man's hands,
it might be rather difficult to withdraw it--dangerous even. The man held
the will, and in holding that had a certain amount of power.

"There is no one except Mrs. Holbrook interested in Mr. Nowell's will, I
suppose?" Gilbert said presently.

"No one directly and immediately, except an old charwoman, who has a
legacy of five-and-twenty pounds."

"But there is some one else interested in an indirect manner I infer from