The faintest suspicion of a smile flitted across Ethel's face.
Hawkes looked keenly at them and answered:
"I deeply regret to say—nothing."
Mrs. Chichester turned to Ethel, who had begun to stroke "Pet" again.
"His own flesh and blood!" cried the poor lady.
"What a shabby old beggar!" commented Alaric, indignantly.
"He was always the most selfish, the most—" began Mrs. Chichester, when Mr. Hawkes, who bad been turning over the pages of the document before him, gave an ejaculation of relief.
"Ah! Here we have it. This, Mrs. Chichester, is how Mr. Kingsnorth expressed his attitude toward his relations in his last will and testament."
"'I am the only member of the Kingsnorth family who ever made any money. All my precious relations either inherited it or married to get it.'—"
"I assure you—" began Mrs. Chichester.