"No one directly and immediately, except an old charwoman, who has a legacy of five-and-twenty pounds."
"But there is some one else interested in an indirect manner I infer from your words?"
"Yes. Mrs. Holbrook takes the whole of the personalty, but she has only a life-interest in the real estate. If she should have children, it will go to them on her death; if she should die childless, it will go to her father, supposing him to survive her."
"To her father? That is rather strange, isn't it?"
"I don't know that. It was the old man's wish that the will should be to that effect."
"I understood from him that he did not know whether his son was alive or dead."
"Indeed! I believe he had news of his son very lately."
"Curious that he should not have told me, knowing as he did my interest in everything relating to Mrs. Holbrook."
"Old people are apt to be close; and Jacob Nowell was about one of the closest customers I ever met with," answered the lawyer.
Gilbert left him soon after this, and chartered a hansom in the next street, which carried him back to the City. He was very uncertain as to what he ought to do for Marian, doubtful of Mr. Medler's integrity, and yet anxious to abstain from any act that might seem uncalled for or officious. She had her husband to look after her interests, as the lawyer had reminded him, and it was scarcely probable that Mr. Holbrook would neglect any steps necessary to secure his wife's succession to whatever property Jacob Nowell had left. It seemed to Gilbert that he could do nothing at present, except write to Marian, telling her of his interview with the lawyer, and advising her to lose no time in placing the conduct of her affairs in more respectable hands than those of Mr. Medler. He mentioned his own solicitors, a City firm of high standing, as gentlemen whom she might wisely trust at this crisis of her life.