would say nothing of them in a way that would seem to imply that she
had been led by them to conceive that she expected the property. She
did certainly think that they alluded to the property. "It is all
right. It is done." When her uncle had uttered these words, using the
last effort of his mortal strength for the purpose, he no doubt was
thinking of the property. He had meant to imply that he had done
something to make his last decision "right" in her favour. She was,
she thought, sure of so much. But then she bore in mind the condition
of the old man's failing mind,--those wandering thoughts which would
so naturally endeavour to fix themselves upon her and upon the
property in combination with each other. How probable was it that he
would dream of something that he would fain do, and then dream that
he had done it! And she knew, too, as well as the lawyer would know
himself, that the words would go for nothing, though they had been
spoken before a dozen witnesses. If a later will was there, the later
will would speak for itself. If no later will was there, the words
were empty breath.

But above all was she anxious that no one should think that she was
desirous of the property,--that no one should suppose that she would
be hurt by not having it. She was not desirous, and was not hurt. The
matter was so important, and had so seriously burdened her uncle's
mind, that she could not but feel the weight herself; but as to
her own desires, they were limited to a wish that her uncle's will,
whatever it might be, should be carried out. Not to have Llanfeare,
not to have even a shilling from her uncle's estate, would hurt her
but little,--would hurt her heart not at all. But to know that it
was thought by others that she was disappointed,--that would be a
grievous burden to her! Therefore she spoke to Dr Powell, and even to
her cousin, as though the estate were doubtless now the property of
the latter.

Henry Jones at this time,--during the days immediately following his
uncle's death,--seemed to be so much awe-struck by his position, as
to be incapable of action. To his Cousin Isabel he was almost servile
in his obedience. With bated breath he did suggest that the keys
should be surrendered to him, making his proposition simply on the
ground that she would thus be saved from trouble; but when she told
him that it was her duty to keep them till after the funeral, and
that it would be her duty to act as mistress in the house