Three thousand pounds was left to be divided among the managers of departments and persons in positions of trust in the employ of the firm; one thousand among the clerks in the office, and five hundred among the domestics in his service at the time of his death.
In the event of the demise of Lois Turquand before attaining the age of twenty-one, Paul Desfrayne was to receive a clear sum of one hundred and thirty thousand pounds; the other moiety to be divided among the London hospitals named.
Mr. Amberley was closely regarding Captain Desfrayne as the latter read this will—to him so singular—once, twice. When Captain Desfrayne at length raised his head, however, Mr. Amberley’s glance was averted, and he was gazing calmly through the murky window at the radiant blue summer sky.
For some minutes Captain Desfrayne was unable to speak.
“It is the will of a lunatic!” he at length impatiently exclaimed.
“Of a man as fully in possession of his senses as you or I,” calmly replied Mr. Amberley. “You do not seem to relish the manner in which he has claimed your services.”
“I don’t know what to think—what to say. I wish he had selected any one rather than myself, which you will say is ingratitude, seeing how magnificently he has offered to reward me. When shall I be obliged to go through an interview with the young lady?”
“Whenever you please—this afternoon, if convenient to you.”
Captain Desfrayne looked at the lawyer, as if startled. It almost seemed as if he turned pale.
“When, I suppose, I am to enjoy the privilege of breaking the news?” he demanded, with a little gasp.