'I suppose he wished to show his high opinion of my uncle's fitness for such a trust.'
'That's quite true; but the nature of the trust in this instance is extraordinary.'
'I don't understand.'
'Why, if you die before you come to the age of twenty-one, the entire of the property will go to him—do you see?—and he has the custody of your person in the meantime; you are to live in his house, under his care and authority. You see now, I think, how it is; and I did not like it when your father read the will to me, and I said so. Do you?'
I hesitated to speak, not sure that I quite comprehended him.
'And the more I think of it, the less I like it, Miss,' said Doctor Bryerly, in a calm, stern tone.
'Merciful Heaven! Doctor Bryerly, you can't suppose that I should not be as safe in my uncle's house as in the Lord Chancellor's?' I ejaculated, looking full in his face.
'But don't you see, Miss, it is not a fair position to put your uncle in,' replied he, after a little hesitation.
'But suppose he does not think so. You know, if he does, he may decline it.'