was darkening rapidly; a mass of
black clouds stood piled in the west, through the chasms of which was still
reflected a pale metallic lustre.

The drawing-room was already very dark; but some streaks of this cold light
fell upon a black figure, which would otherwise have been unseen, leaning
beside the curtains against the window frame.

It advanced abruptly, with creaking shoes; it was Doctor Bryerly.

I was startled and surprised, not knowing how he had got there. I stood
staring at him in the dusk rather awkwardly, I am afraid.

'How do you do, Miss Ruthyn?' said he, extending his hand, long, hard, and
brown as a mummy's, and stooping a little so as to approach more nearly,
for it was not easy to see in the imperfect light. 'You're surprised, I
dare say, to see me here so soon again?'

'I did not know you had arrived. I am glad to see you, Doctor Bryerly.
Nothing unpleasant, I hope, has happened?'

'No, nothing unpleasant, Miss. The will has been lodged, and we shall have
probate in due course; but there has been something on my mind, and I'm
come to ask you two or three questions which you had better answer very
considerately. Is Miss Knollys still here?'

'Yes, but she is not returned from her walk.'

'I am glad she is here. I think she takes a sound view, and women
understand one another better. As for me, it is plainly my duty to put it
before you as it strikes me, and to offer all I can do in accomplishing,
should you wish it, a different arrangement. You don't know your uncle, you
said the other day?'

'No, I've never seen him.'

'You understand your late father's intention in making you his ward?'

'I suppose he wished to show his high opinion of my uncle's fitness for
such a trust.'

'That's quite true; but the nature of the trust in this instance is
extraordinary.'

'I don't understand.'

'Why, if you die before you come to the age of twenty-one, the entire of
the property will go to him--do you see?--and he has the custody of your
person in the meantime; you are to live in his house, under his care and
authority. You see now, I think, how it is; and I did not like it when your
father read the will to me, and I said so. Do _you_?'

I hesitated to speak, not sure that I quite comprehended him.

'And the more I think of it, the less I like it, Miss,' said Doctor
Bryerly, in a calm, stern tone.

'Merciful Heaven! Doctor Bryerly, you can't suppose that I should not be
as safe in my uncle's