'There was——' Julia stopped short, and looked interrogatively at Emily.
'Go on, Julia, tell him; we have nothing to conceal.'
'Mr. Burnett asked Emily to marry him a short time ago; she, of course, refused, and ever since he seemed more like——'
'A madman than anything else,' broke in Emily. 'Oh, for the last month we have led a miserable life! It was a happy release.'
'Is it possible,' said Mr. Grandly, 'that Mr. Burnett seriously contemplated marriage with Miss Watson?'
'Yes, and her refusal seemed to drive him out of his mind.'
'I never was more surprised.' The placid face of the eminently respectable solicitor lapsed into contemplation. 'I often tried,' he said, suddenly, 'to divine the reason why he changed his will. Disappointed love seemed the only conceivable reason, but I rejected it as being quite inconceivable. Well, it only shows how little we know what is passing in each other's minds.'
'Then,' said Julia, 'Mr. Burnett has divided his fortune, leaving Ashwood to Mr. Price, and all his invested money to Emily?'
A look of pain passed over Mr. Grandly's benevolent face, and he answered: 'Unfortunately he has left everything to Mr. Price.'