“What news?” I asked.
“Your wife says the wedding is to go on—a quiet ceremony at Mr. Bradish’s house. I fear I gave him the impression that, while there was no immediate danger, you would——”
“Hardly pull through?”
“I fear so.”
That amused me. “Did he see my will?” I asked.
“I believe he did. I think that was what decided him.”
And well it might, for not only had he read that I had willed three-fourths of my entire estate to my son Walter, but also he had read a schedule of my chief holdings which I had folded in with the will in anticipation of this very contingency. It must have amazed him—it must have stirred every atom in his avaricious old body—to see how much richer I am than is generally supposed. No, it would have been impossible for him to take any chances on losing my principal heir for his daughter after that will and that schedule had burned themselves into his brain.
I’ve not the slightest doubt that he knew his daughter would never get the dowry she was dreaming of, for he is a sensible, practical man. If I did not know how glibly young people talk and think of huge sums of money nowadays I’d not believe Natalie herself silly enough ever seriously to imagine me giving her outright the enormous sum necessary to produce a quarter of a million a year.
Hanbury urged that Walter and his bride go down to the country near town, assuring them he could give them several hours’ warning of a turn for the worse. The change in the wedding plans had started a report that I was dangerously ill. As the best possible denial of this stock-depressing rumour they yielded to Hanbury’s representations.
I ordered Hanbury to give it out that I was much better, as soon as I heard that the marriage ceremony had been performed, and I began to mend so rapidly that he, in alarm for his reputation, begged me to restrain myself. “I want people to say I worked a cure,” he said, “not to say I worked a miracle—and then wink.” In two weeks I was far enough advanced for Walter and Natalie to sail on the trip which my illness had delayed.