"The estate is yours, Mr. Mason," said Round. "You have nothing to do but to take possession of it."
"What do you mean?" said Mason, turning round upon Furnival.
"Exactly what I say. Your half-brother Lucius surrenders to you the estate."
"Without payment?"
"Yes; without payment. On his doing so you will of course absolve him from all liability on account of the proceeds of the property while in his hands."
"That will be a matter of course," said Mr. Round.
"Then she has robbed me," said Mason, jumping up to his feet. "By ——, the will was forged after all."
"Mr. Mason," said Mr. Round, "if you have a spark of generosity in you, you will accept the offer made to you without asking any question. By no such questioning can you do yourself any good,—nor can you do that poor lady any harm."
"I knew it was so," he said loudly, and as he spoke he twice walked the length of the room. "I knew it was so;—twenty years ago I said the same. She forged the will. I ask you, as my lawyer, Mr. Round,—did she not forge the will herself?"
"I shall answer no such question, Mr. Mason."