For a few moments Ledward was quiet. He had perhaps been justified in thinking himself Jasper’s heir. At all events, Mrs. Haigh had reckoned on his inheriting, and he imagined she and Evelyn would get a nasty jolt.
All the same, he had some money; Jasper’s wedding present was a useful sum, and his pay was good. For himself he was not remarkably ambitious, and he had taken the post because he wanted to marry Evelyn. He knew her calculating selfishness, and perhaps it was strange, but he was not much daunted. Evelyn was not a fool, and by and by he thought she would see she had not much grounds for discontent.
“I expect you know, I’m rather disappointed, but I must not grumble,” he said. “When I joined you I was a fastidious loafer and was getting slack. You gave me an occupation I was soon keen about and made it possible for me to marry the girl I want. I owe you much, sir, and on the whole I think I’m fortunate. Anyhow, so long as you feel my help is useful, it is yours.”
“Your judgment is sound and I like your pluck,” Jasper remarked. “However, I get tired, and I expect your aunt will be interested.”
Ledward agreed, and finding Mrs. Carson had gone to Mrs. Haigh’s, he followed her to the house. Although he thought he could picture Mrs. Haigh’s emotions, he was rather disturbed than sympathetic. When he arrived tea was served, and Mrs. Haigh handed him a cup.
“Jasper has given me a wedding present,” he said, and put the check on the table.
“He is extremely generous,” Mrs. Carson remarked with keen surprise; but when Mrs. Haigh noted the sum her color got high and she set her thin mouth.
“He declares he is not,” said Ledward. “You see, he says it’s all I shall get.”
Mrs. Haigh’s hand shook, and she put down the teapot.
“Ah!” she said, “since the evening Kit arrived I think I expected something like that.”