"I thought it better to tell you than to write about it," says George. "You must prepare for a surprise, Gertrude. Eleanor has left her entire fortune--it is much wasted, but still large--to you."
"To me!" exclaimed Gertrude, "to me! And what has she left to Meredith?"
"Nothing," replied Major Carteret. "Precisely what he deserved. She makes no mention of him, his name does not occur in the will. She probably explains her motives and tells the sad story of her life in a letter which she left directed to me, that I may give it unopened into your hands. You shall have it, but hear first what we have to tell you. She has left you everything in her power to bequeath, and left it all at your absolute disposal."
Gertrude seemed stupefied. At length she said slowly:
"What must he feel? What did he say?"
"I don't know what he felt," replied Major Carteret. "What he said quickly deprived me of all inclination to pity him, the scoundrel! I hope we have all heard and seen the last of him. His worthy associate, Oakley, made me understand his character long ago; but while poor Nelly lived it would have served no purpose to resent it, and we had nothing to gain by exposing him. Now it turns out she has avenged herself and us all, and we can afford to dismiss him from our minds. You must allow me to congratulate you, Gertrude, on poor Nelly's handsome legacy, and then on something much more important still."
Gertrude looked from her husband to her uncle nervously, and her lips trembled.
"What is it? I can't bear much more."
George put his arm firmly round her, and placing her on a sofa, took his place by her side. At this moment Mrs. Doran came quietly into the room and approached the group. Haldane made her a sign to be silent, while George spoke to his wife:
"While I was staying at the Deane, when I first went there for your birthday, Gertrude, my mother wrote to me, and told me it was a curious circumstance that I should be a visitor at Miss Baldwin's house. Why? Can you guess?"