"On the contrary," said Jarwin, with his cough, "it is the best of news."
Noel looked at him hard. "The best of news to me at the present moment would be information about money," he said slowly. "I have a title, it is true, but the estate is much encumbered."
"You need not trouble about that, Lord Garvington; Mrs. Stanley has put all that right."
"What?" asked Agnes greatly agitated. "Has she made over the mortgages to Noel? Oh, if she only has."
"She has done better than that," remarked Jarwin, producing a paper of no great size, "this is her will. She wanted to make a deed of gift, and probably would have done so had she lived. But luckily she made the will—and a hard-and-fast one it is—for I drew it up myself," said Mr. Jarwin complacently.
"How does the will concern us?" asked Agnes, catching Noel's hand with a tremor, for she could scarcely grasp the hints of the lawyer.
"Mrs. Stanley, my dear lady, had a great regard for you since you nursed her through a dangerous illness. Also you were, as she put it, a good and true wife to her grandson. Therefore, as she approved of you and of your second marriage, she has left the entire fortune of your late husband to you and to Lord Garvington here."
"Never!" cried Lambert growing pale, while his wife gasped with astonishment.
"It is true, and here is the proof," Jarwin shook the parchment, "one million to you, Lord Garvington, and one million to your wife. Listen, if you please," and the solicitor read the document in a formal manner which left no doubt as to the truth of his amazing news. When he finished the lucky couple looked at one another scarcely able to speak. It was Agnes who recovered her voice first.
"Oh, it can't be true—it can't be true," she cried. "Noel, pinch me, for I must be dreaming."