Mr. Harrison nodded his head.
“The very man, Mr. Webster! Yes, Mr. John Temple has been born under a lucky star I think. He is now heir to his uncle Mr. Temple of Woodlea Hall, a large land-owner, and a rich man to boot. But I have not told Miss Kathleen Weir of this windfall; you see she might be setting up claims that would annoy Mr. John Temple; asking for a larger allowance perhaps, or even to take his name.”
“To which I suppose she has a legal right?”
“Yes, unfortunately I fear so; nay it is so. In his hot young days you see he was led away to hang a millstone round his neck, just like many young men, and now, no doubt, he bitterly repents it. Ah, it’s a great mistake—a great mistake when a young fellow marries beneath him.”
“No doubt, but, Mr. Harrison, I am keeping you from your work and must no longer detain you. Thank you for answering my question, and now I must say good-morning.”
“Good-morning, Mr. Webster; very pleased to have seen you,” and the little man bustled about saying many pleasant things. But Webster soon cut him short and went away. He had learned all that Mr. Harrison could tell him.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
A DISCOVERY.
Women in general have a strong interest in jewels, and in stories connected with them, and Mrs. Temple of Woodlea was no exception to this rule. Thus the day after Kathleen Weir’s diamond case had been decided she was reading it in the morning papers, when her husband’s nephew John Temple entered the breakfast-room.
He shook hands with her and then with his uncle in his usual pleasant fashion, but had scarcely begun his breakfast when Mrs. Temple commenced talking about the actress’ diamonds.