ldren a
holiday; it was only the truth to tell them that I was not well.

How long an interval passed before I could call to mind that I had only
read the first lines of the letter, I am not able to say. When I did
take it up I was surprised to see that the writing covered two pages.
Beginning again where I had left off, my head, in a moment more, began
to swim. A horrid fear overpowered me that I might not be in my right
mind, after I had read the first three sentences. Here they are, to
answer for me that I exaggerate nothing:--

"The will of our deceased client is not yet proved. But, with the
sanction of the executors, I inform you confidentially that you are the
person chiefly interested in it. Sir Gervase Damian bequeaths to you,
absolutely, the whole of his personal property, amounting to the sum of
seventy thousand pounds."

If the letter had ended there, I really cannot imagine what
extravagances I might not have committed. But the writer (head partner
in the firm of Sir Gervase's lawyers) had something more to say on his
own behalf. The manner in which he said it strung up my nerves in an
instant. I can not, and will not, copy the words here. It is quite
revolting enough to give the substance of them.

The man's object was evidently to let me perceive that he disapproved of
the will. So far I do not complain of him--he had, no doubt, good
reason for the view he took. But, in expressing his surprise "at this
extraordinary proof of the testator's interest in a perfect stranger
to the family," he hinted his suspicion of an influence, on my part,
exercised over Sir Gervase, so utterly shameful, that I cannot dwell on
the subject. The language, I should add, was cunningly guarded. Even
I could see that it would bear more than one interpretation, and would
thus put me in the wrong if I openly resented it. But the meaning
was plain; and part at least of the motive came out in the following
sentences:

"The present Sir Gervase, as you are doubtless aware, is not seriously
affected by his father's will. He is already more liberally provided
for, as heir under the entail to the whole of the landed property. But,
to say nothing of old friends who are forgotten, there is a surviving
relative of the late Sir Gervase passed over, who is nearly akin to him
by blood. In the event of this person disputing the will, you will of
course hear from us again, and refer us to your legal adviser."

The letter ended with an apol