"Then he consulted you on the matter—he gave you his ideas?"
"He did. In fact, I prepared a codicil to his will that afternoon. But—it was never signed."
"And you wish—" asked Nina.
Mr. Widdicombe was less abrupt than usual. "I—I would like simply to learn whether you, Mrs. Darling, as Viscount Kneedrock's sole legatee, would care to—to—"
"I do care to," she broke in, much to his relief. "I care very much to. I desire that the codicil be carried out precisely as though Viscount Kneedrock had signed it."
The solicitor, who had risen when Nina did, bowed with an unprecedented graciousness.
"You are more than generous, Mrs. Darling," he said. "But would it not be well for you to have a copy of the provisions? Perhaps—"
"No," she interrupted again. "I am quite satisfied to let it be as he would wish it." Then, after a slight pause, she added: "He had written to her of it, hadn't he?"
"Yes, poor child! She received a letter on the day following his death."
Mr. Widdicombe had made his adieus when Nina stopped him.