"A lease, or something of the sort," muttered the lawyer, putting on his spectacles and taking up the parchment. "Ah!" he exclaimed, suddenly, looking up and scanning the faces all round with a look of surprise.
"What is the matter?" said Mrs. Mildmay, nervously.
"Have you any idea as to what this paper may be?" he asked Violet.
She shook her head, wearily.
"No," she said. "What is it?"
"This," said the lawyer, tapping the document, "is a codicil to your father's will, signed"—here he glanced at the last page—"by him, legally and in due form."
Violet remained silent.
There was a general expression of surprise.
Mr. Thaxton thought for a moment, with the document in his hand.