"No, he did not destroy it."
"Nor hid it where we could not find it?"
"Nor did he hide it."
"Oh, how I have wronged him;—how I have injured him!"
"About that we need say nothing, Isabel. You have not injured him. But we may let all that pass away. The fact remains that you are the heiress of Llanfeare."
Of course he did by degrees explain to her all the circumstances,—how the will had been found and not revealed, and how far Cousin Henry had sinned in the matter; but it was agreed between them that no further evil should be said in the family as to their unfortunate relative. The great injury which he might have done to them he had abstained from doing.
"Papa," she said to her father when they were again together alone that same evening, "you must tell all this to Mr Owen. You must tell him everything, just as you have told me."
"Certainly, my dear, if you wish it."
"I do wish it."
"Why should you not have the pleasure of telling him yourself?"