Belassis looked furious; but he dared not fly out at Miss Marjory.
‘Anybody is welcome to examine them; they are absolutely genuine—will and letter both. Who knows Philip Debenham’s handwriting and signature? I appeal to them.’
But Miss Marjory paid no heed to him. She had flown back to her former train of thought.
‘Philip Debenham, you must dispute that will. If there is any equity in law, you can get it reversed as easily as possible. There could not be a clearer case of bribery and corruption, or whatever they call it—at least of coercion and fraud. Anyone with half an eye could see exactly how it had all happened. You have as good a case, I should say, as a man could wish. Take counsel’s opinion at once, and act accordingly. I should dispute that will to the death, if I were you.’
‘There will be no need to do that,’ said Lewis, coming forward and speaking for the first time, ‘for I decline to take advantage of it. I am convinced, like other people, that there is something odd about that condition. Anyway, it is a very unjust one. When the money comes to me, I shall make it over to Maud. I should be ashamed to live upon her fortune.’
Miss Marjory jumped up, and shook him by the hand.
‘Spoken like a man!’ she said with approbation. ‘You are no Belassis, young man, in spite of your name. I have a great respect for your character from this moment.’
‘No—no, Lewis,’ interposed Maud. ‘The money is yours, and you must have it. I think I am rather glad for you to have something. You must not make it over to me.’
‘If you do, you idiot of a boy,’ growled Belassis, whose face was purple, ‘I’ll cut you off with a shilling! I’ll turn you out of my house—I’ll make a beggar of you before a week is over!’
‘I think I’d as soon be a beggar, as loafing round at home doing nothing,’ remarked Lewis slowly. ‘I dare say if I tried I could get some sort of a berth. I’m not such a fool as I look.’