"But if Philip should die it would all be ours, so Mr. Codicil says."
"I don't want anything to happen to the poor boy."
"Nor I, Rose. But don't you think he might do something for us?"
"So he would, very probably, if he were left to himself; but you know he is under the guardianship of that uncle of his, Richard Grafton, who is said to be intensely selfish and wholly unprincipled. He means to live as handsomely as he can at Philip's expense."
"Did grandfather appoint him guardian?"
"I believe so. Richard Grafton is very artful, and he led grandfather to believe him fitted to be an excellent guardian for the boy."
"I suppose he is in Europe?"
"No; I heard from Mr. Codicil, yesterday, that he was in New York."
"Is Philip with him?"
"Yes. He was to take the boy to Mr. Codicil's office to-day. There was a report some time since—I did not mention it to you for fear of exciting you—that Philip was dead. Mr. Codicil wrote to Mr. Grafton to make inquiry. In answer, he has come to New York, bringing Philip with him. While the boy lives, he receives an annual income of six thousand dollars for the boy's expenses, and to compensate him for his guardianship. You see, therefore, that Philip's death would make a great difference to him."