"He asked me if I had any money."
"What did you reply?"
"'A little.' Then he said, 'If you expect to live on ma you will find yourself much mistaken. You will have to earn your own living.' I told him I shouldn't trouble Mrs. Lane."
"But, perhaps, you may," said Mr. Nugent.
Gerald looked an inquiry.
Mr. Nugent explained:
"I have in my hands a later will than the one under which Mrs. Lane inherits. It was placed in my hands by your father, with directions not to produce it if Mrs. Lane treated you fairly. Otherwise, I was to make it known. By this will you are left half the property. That will only amount to ten thousand dollars, as Mrs. Lane has been compelled to surrender thirty thousand dollars to John Graves. She will be left comparatively poor."
"Mr. Nugent," said Gerald, "am I compelled to take advantage of this will?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Because, thanks to Mr. Nixon's generosity, I do not need it. I feel rich already. I am willing to surrender all claims upon my father's estate."