"Precious queer amusement for a clergyman on the point of death, anyhow," he muttered to himself. "He has no relative that his scribbling is likely to interest, that I know of."
That same evening, leaving Aldean and Tui at whist with the old ladies, he led Olive into the library.
"I want to talk to you, Olive about this money. You were saying something the other day about getting rid of it."
"Yes; I wouldn't use it for the world. Thirty thousand of it has gone with Clara and Boldini to South America. I want to give the remaining twenty back to the Indian Government."
"H'm; the Government will ask questions. We don't want that."
"Can't it be returned as conscience-money?"
"Even so, I fancy, some explanation would be necessary. It is a large sum, you see. Besides, there is another point which you have overlooked. The money--or, rather, what is left of it--is not yours."
"Not mine? Then whose is it?"
"You forget the will, Olive. In the event of your not marrying Carson, the money was to go to Mr. Brock. Well, as a matter of fact, the provisions of the will not being complied with, that is where it ought to go."
"He can have it, with pleasure; but I feel sure he won't touch it now."