prefer that you should omit all these useless preliminaries,
and come to the business at once. Let me read the document for you; my
eyes are younger than yours."

At this terrific act of insubordination, and the almost blasphemous
suggestion which capped it, the lawyer fell back in his chair and broke
out into a profuse perspiration, gazing at the Rector as he would at
some suddenly intruding wild animal. Then, with a gasp, taking in the
peril of the whole situation, he hastily took up the will and plunged
into it.

It was a long, tedious document, hard to understand; and when it was
ended, no one exactly grasped its purport.

Then came the moment of Mr Pottinger's revenge. The party was at his
mercy after all.

"What does it all amount to?" said the doctor, interpreting the
perplexed looks of the company.

"I had better perhaps explain it in simple words," said the attorney
condescendingly, "if you will give me your attention."

You might have heard a pin drop now.

"Briefly, the provisions of our dear friend's will are these. Proper
provision is made for the support in comfort of the widow during her
life. Legacies are also left, as you have heard, to certain friends,
servants, and charities. The whole of the remaining property, which it
is my impression will be found to be very considerable, is left in trust
for the testator's only son, Roger, our young friend here, who is to
receive it absolutely on reaching the age of twenty-one. The conditions
of the trust are a trifle peculiar. There are three trustees, who are
also guardians of the heir. The first is Mrs Ingleton, the widow; the
second is Edward Oliphant, Esquire, of Her Majesty's Indian Army, second
cousin, I understand, of Mrs Ingleton, and, in the event (which I trust
is not likely) of the death of our young friend here, heir-presumptive
to the property. His trusteeship is dependent on his coming to this
country and assuming the duties of guardian to the heir, and provision
is made accordingly. The third trustee and guardian is Mr Frank
Armstrong, who is entitled to act so long as he holds his present post
of tutor to the heir, which post he will retain only during Mrs
Ingleton's pleasure. It is also provided that, in the event of any
difference of opinion among the trustees, Mrs Ingleton (as is most
proper) shall be permitted to decide; and lastly--a curious eccentricity
on our dear friend's part, which was perhaps hardly necessary to
i