he
only time I have to myself."

"Yes. For the present, as you say. Ahem! You are aware, perhaps, that
for years I was employed by--by Mr Brownrig in the transaction of so
much of his business as was in my line. And you know that during his
last illness I was often with him, and was consulted by him. In short,
the arrangement of his affairs was left to me."

This was but the introduction to much more. Allison listened in
silence, and when he came to a pause she said quietly:

"And what can I have to do with all this?"

Mr Rainy looked a little startled.

"You are not, I should suppose, altogether unaware of the manner in
which--I mean of the provisions of your husband's will?"

"I know nothing about it," said Allison.

"Then let me have the pleasure of telling you that by this will, you
are, on certain conditions, to be put in possession of all of which Mr
Brownrig died possessed. There are a few unimportant legacies to
friends." He mentioned the names of several persons, and then went on
with his explanations.

Allison understood some things which he said, and some things she
neither understood nor heeded. When he came to an end at last, she did
not, as he expected, ask what was the condition to which he had
referred, but said:

"And what will happen if I say that I can take nothing?"

Mr Rainy looked at her in astonishment.

"That is easily told," said he, with a queer contortion of his face.
"The property of the deceased would go to the next of kin."

Then Mr Rainy waited to hear more,--waited "to see what it was that she
would be at," he said to himself.

"And it is your place to settle it all, to see that all is put right as
it should be?"

"Yes, that is my place, with the help of one or two others. Your friend
Doctor Fleming has something to do with your affairs, under the will."

"What you have to do will be to put the will aside, as if it had never
been made. I hope it will not add to the trouble you must have to
settle everything without it."

"Are you in earnest?" asked Mr Rainy gravely.

"Surely, I am in earnest."

"Do you mean to say that you refuse to receive the property which your
husband left to you? Is it because of the condition? No, it cannot be
that, for I named no condition. And indeed it is hardly a condition.
It is rather a request."

Allison asked no question, though he paused expectant.

"The condition--if it can be called a condition--is easy enough to
f