r
went off quite satisfactorily. From what he had said yesterday, and
again last night, I had almost come to expect an unreserved
acceptance of everything stated or implied in Roger Melton's Will;
but when we had sat round the table--this appeared, by the way, to be
a formality for which we were all prepared, for we sat down as if by
instinct--the very first words he said were:

"As I suppose I must go through this formality, I may as well say at
once that I accept every possible condition which was in the mind of
Uncle Roger; and to this end I am prepared to sign, seal, and
deliver--or whatever is the ritual--whatever document you,
sir"--turning to me--"may think necessary or advisable, and of which
you both approve." He stood up and walked about the room for a few
moments, Sir Colin and I sitting quite still, silent. He came back
to his seat, and after a few seconds of nervousness--a rare thing
with him, I fancy--said: "I hope you both understand--of course, I
know you do; I only speak because this is an occasion for
formality--that I am willing to accept, and at once! I do so,
believe me, not to get possession of this vast fortune, but because
of him who has given it. The man who was fond of me, and who trusted
me, and yet had strength to keep his own feelings in check--who
followed me in spirit to far lands and desperate adventures, and who,
though he might be across the world from me, was ready to put out a
hand to save or help me, was no common man; and his care of my
mother's son meant no common love for my dear mother. And so she and
I together accept his trust, come of it what may. I have been
thinking it over all night, and all the time I could not get out of
the idea that mother was somewhere near me. The only thought that
could debar me from doing as I wished to do--and intend to do--would
be that she would not approve. Now that I am satisfied she would
approve, I accept. Whatever may result or happen, I shall go on
following the course that he has set for me. So help me, God!" Sir
Colin stood up, and I must say a more martial figure I never saw. He
was in full uniform, for he was going on to the King's levee after
our business. He drew his sword from the scabbard and laid it naked
on the table before Rupert, and said:

"You are going, sir, into a stra