‘Self-possessed? energetic?’ asked Mrs. Henley, with whom those were the first of qualities; and as her brother paused from repugnance to speak of Amabel to one so little capable of comprehending her, she proceeded: ‘No doubt she did the best she could, but she must have been quite inexperienced. It was a very young thing in the poor youth to make her executrix. I wonder the will was valid; but I suppose you took care of that.’
‘I did nothing.’
‘Did you see it?’
‘My uncle showed it to me.’
‘Then you can tell me what I want to hear, for no one has told me anything. I suppose my uncle is to be guardian?’
‘No; Lady Morville.’
‘You don’t mean it? Most lover-like indeed. That poor girl to manage that great property? Everything left to her!’ said Mrs. Henley, continuing her catechism in spite of the unwillingness of his replies. ‘Were there any legacies? I know of Miss Wellwood’s.’
‘That to Dixon’s daughter, and my own,’ he answered.
‘Yours? How was it that I never heard of it? What is it?’
‘Ten thousand,’ said Philip, sadly.