Dr. Townley arose as she entered.
"Good-morning, Mrs. Preston," he said. "I hope I find you well?"
"I am quite well," said Mrs. Preston, coldly, for she had never liked the doctor. She had an unpleasant feeling that he understood her, and was not among her admirers. "Good-morning, Mr. Graves. You come to the city occasionally?"
"I don't often get time to come up, but the doctor thought I ought to come."
"Indeed! I am sorry to say that I am just going out."
"I must ask you to defer going till we have communicated our business," said the doctor.
"Business?" repeated Mrs. Preston, seating herself in some surprise.
"Yes—business of importance. In short, your husband's will has come to light."
"My husband's will!" exclaimed Mrs. Preston. "I thought——"
She checked herself suddenly. She was about to say, "I thought I had destroyed it," and that would have let the cat out of the bag with a vengeance.